INTRODUCTION
Current literature on the plastic surgery match process and outcomes has consistently highlighted the role of institutional resources as well as specialty-specific programs in defining residents’ career trajectories.1 Hospitals with well-established specialty programs have been associated with higher numbers of residents pursuing and successfully matching into these fields, in plastic surgery as well as other competitive specialties. Limited studies have investigated how the establishment of integrated plastic surgery programs has specifically affected the match rates of the independent fellowship pathway. The implementation of integrated plastic surgery residency programs, which allow for a streamlined pathway from medical school directly into plastic surgery–specific training, has fundamentally altered the landscape to entering the specialty. This study aimed to analyze the impact of the integrated plastic surgery residency program on independent fellowship match rates at a single institution.
METHODS
We used descriptive statistics to analyze graduates from the University of Nevada Las Vegas general surgery program between 1984 and 2022. The integrated program was established in 2003, and thus, we summarized match rates and other outcomes pre- and postintegrated program establishment.
RESULTS
A total of 121 general surgery graduates from the single institution were included in the analysis, with 40 graduates in the pre-2003 cohort and 81 in the post-2003 cohort. The percentage of graduates matching into independent plastic surgery fellowships increased significantly from 5% (2 of 40) in the pre-2003 cohort to 18.5% (15 of 81) in the post-2003 cohort. Despite this increase in applicants, the match success rate remained consistent at 100% across both cohorts for those who applied.
DISCUSSION
The results of this study demonstrate a substantial increase in the proportion of general surgery program graduates applying into plastic surgery fellowships following the establishment of the integrated program. However, our sample size is relatively small, at a single institution with a total of 121 graduates analyzed. This makes it difficult to establish cause-and-effect relationships and extrapolate national trends.
The introduction of integrated programs had brought phase-out of independent plastic surgery fellowship positions. Although the presence of plastic surgery programs offers general surgery residents opportunities to gain exposure to plastic surgery cases, integrated residents are often given priority for these cases, potentially limiting access for general surgery residents. However, these programs bring earlier mentorship from plastic surgery faculty, fostering interest and guiding residents through the application process.2 Institutions with integrated plastic surgery programs are more likely to have faculty serving in leadership roles within national surgical organizations, bolstering their visibility and influence. Faculty with involvement in professional organizations and connections to other programs may provide invaluable support during the match process, including letters of recommendation.3,4 These faculty members also provide research expertise, which is crucial for participation in specialty-specific projects during training.5 These results underscore the importance of aligning institutional resources with resident training goals in regard to pursuing plastic surgery. This study highlighted the value of integrated programs for general surgery residents aspiring to pursue independent fellowships. Future multicenter studies may further examine this relationship.
DISCLOSURE
The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article.
Footnotes
Published online 10 June 2025.
Disclosure statements are at the end of this article, following the correspondence information.
REFERENCES
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