Acting Intern Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

*Note: Students must reach out to the course coordinator for approval to schedule a repeat of SURG 7522. Failure to do so could result in the student being removed from the repeat.*

Catalog Description: This elective rotation in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is a four-week experience in basic surgical technique, wound closure techniques, principles of wound healing, exposure to emergent and elective reconstructive surgery as well as aesthetic surgery.

Sites: 

View site addresses by clicking on the site name below or visiting the site codes table.

Required session attendance:

Typical weekly schedule/Delivery Mode: 

• Mix of clinic and OR opportunities varying by site.  M-F, 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Plastic Surgery residents take primary call.  Students do not take call, and no weekends or overnights are expected.
• Two half weekdays of Independent Learning Time (ILT) will be provided; once while at Regions, and once while at UMH.

Direct patient care: Yes

Consent Requirement: Open to student scheduling.

Course Objectives: The overall goal of this rotation is to provide students with a basic understanding of the pre- and post-operative evaluation of the emergent and elective reconstructive surgery cases, basic knowledge of surgical decision making, and proper wound and limb care management. Basic operating room etiquette and attentive assistance during the procedure may afford exciting learning opportunities. Students are expected to assist in the management of preoperative, perioperative and postoperative patient care under supervision.

At the completion of this rotation, the student should be able to:

• Apply those technical skills commonly employed on a surgical service.
• Understand and explain the basic core principles of plastic surgery, wound management, tissue transfer, and breast reconstruction.
• Perform skin closure and learn basic suturing skills.
• Take an appropriate history and perform a directed physical exam, and formulate an appropriate initial treatment plan taking into account the urgency of the patient’s problems and the basic plastic surgery principles learned on the service.
• Formulate an appropriate ongoing health care plan for patients within their socio-economic situation.
• Communicate and coordinate effectively with members of an inter-professional care team and with patients/families.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to common plastic surgery conditions and emergencies.
• Demonstrate independent learning in response to questions raised in the clinical setting by using textbooks, journal articles, media, computer-based tools and other resources.

Graded Components: 

• Clinical assessment by faculty

Grading Scale: H/E/S/N