Spontaneous multifocal pyogenic granulomas.

Cutaneous pyogenic granulomas (PGs) are common, benign vascular tumors of uncertain pathogenesis; however, a growing body of literature suggests that the formation of PGs may be secondary to genetic alterations in both the Ras/Raf/MAPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. We present three cases of spontaneous multifocal PGs that first presented in infancy, were not associated with other vascular anomalies or discernable etiology, harbored somatic genetic variants in the Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway (NRAS n = 2, FGFR1 n = 1), were refractory to treatment with beta-blockers and mTOR inhibitors, and responded best to pulsed dye laser. We propose the term "spontaneous multifocal PGs" to describe this entity.

A Retrospective Review on the Effects of Nasoalveolar Molding on Infant Weight Gain and Time to Primary Lip Repair in Unilateral and Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

BACKGROUND: In patients with severe cleft deformities, nasoalveolar molding (NAM) can improve long-term lip and nasal symmetry by reducing the size of the cleft, better aligning the alveolus, lip, and nose, and making the primary lip repair more predictable. Despite the increasing number of published studies on modified NAM techniques, the effects of NAM on weight gain and time to primary lip repair remain less studied. PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the effect of NAM on feeding, weight gain, growth velocity, and time to primary lip repair in patients with complete unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP). METHODS: A retrospective, single-institution review was conducted to identify patients with complete unilateral and BCLP treated between January 2005 and June 2020. The following outcomes were measured: age at the time of lip and palate repairs; weight, height, and BMI on the date of lip repair; and growth velocity. Crude and standardized morbidity ratio-weighted differences in outcome means and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using t tests. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were included in the study, 30 of whom underwent NAM. On average, patients treated with preoperative NAM underwent lip repair later than patients who were not treated with NAM. They also had a greater growth velocity and BMI when compared to their non-NAM counterparts. These differences, however, were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study explores the relationships between the use of NAM and preoperative weight gain, as well as time to lip repair in patients with complete unilateral and BCLP. Additional studies may be needed to better elucidate the effect of NAM on weight gain and the time required for surgical repair of the cleft lip and palate.

Infantile Scalp Hemangiomas: Surgical Management and Lessons Learned.

Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are common benign vascular tumors in pediatric patients, often found on the scalp. While most IH naturally regress without intervention, surgical excision becomes necessary when severe anatomic or physiological complications arise. This review examines previously published case studies on pediatric scalp IH excisions, focusing on surgical outcomes and complications. A comprehensive search of the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health (PubMed) database identified 19 relevant case studies. Most patients were female, with a wide age range at the time of excision. Various anatomic locations and sizes of the hemangiomas were observed. The reviewed literature demonstrates that surgical excision of scalp IH can be performed with minimal complications, even for sizable tumors. Successful outcomes and low complication rates highlight the effectiveness of surgical intervention in cases of life-threatening IH sequelae. Further research is warranted to explore optimal timing, techniques, and adjunct therapies for surgical management of scalp IH.

Transillumination of an Anterior Fontanelle Dermoid Cyst.

Dermoid cysts are slowly growing benign lesions of ectodermal tissue that often occur in the anterior fontanelle. Clinicians often rely on a negative transillumination test to begin the process of correctly diagnosing a dermoid cyst. However, here the authors present a case of a 7-month-old girl who presents with a transilluminating dermoid cyst.

Trigeminal Trophic Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of a Surgical Approach.

ABSTRACT: Trigeminal trophic syndrome (TTS) is an exceedingly rare disease that causes facial ulceration, most commonly at the nasal ala. The overall incidence of TTS is not known, with less than 150 cases published in the literature.We searched the United States National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health (PubMed) using the terms "Trigeminal Trophic Syndrome" and "TTS" as keywords. Publications in all languages were included if an English abstract was available. We reviewed 111 cases of TTS described in 75 publications from 1979 to 2021.Fourteen cases involved surgical reconstruction. Of these, the lesions completely healed in 7 cases (50%), recurred in 5 (36%), and were unspecified in 2 (14%). Reconstruction was completed in a 2 to 3-stage approach in 6 cases; of these, healing without recurrence was observed in 5 cases (83%). When donor tissue from the affected side was used as a basis for reconstruction, healing without recurrence was observed in 2 cases (50%). This is in comparison to the use of contralateral, sensate tissue in which there was healing without recurrence in all 3 cases (100%).The surgical management of TTS remains a topic of controversy. The rates of success remain comparable despite the use of various flap types. However, the use of contralateral, sensate flaps and a staged surgical approach appears to be effective based upon the best available evidence in the literature. Further prospective orretrospective controlled studies are necessary to make more reliable recommendations, though may be challenging given the rarity of TTS.

Fat-Free Spindle Cell Lipoma of the Scalp: Lipoma Without a Lipogenic Component.

ABSTRACT: Spindle cell lipoma (SCL) is a rare, benign subcutaneous neoplasm that typically occurs on the upper trunk or neck of middle-aged men. The diagnosis of SCL is often straightforward due to its characteristic clinical presentation and classic histologic features of admixed mature adipocytes and CD-34 positive bland spindle cells. However, the diagnosis can be elusive when low-fat and free-fat patterns occur. Due to the lack of lipogenic content and morphologic overlap, this rare tumor is often mistaken for other benign and malignant soft tissue tumors. The authors present the case of a middle-aged man with a fat-free SCL of the temporal scalp. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in the literature ofa fat-free SCL involving the temporal scalp. With careful attention to the clinical context, histologic features, immunohistochemical profile, and cytogenetic abnormalities, the proper diagnosis of SCL without a lipogenic component can be achieved.

Malignant Melanoma Arising From a Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevus in a 3-Year Old: Review of Diagnosis and Management.

INTRODUCTION: Giant congenital nevi (GCN), defined as abnormal collections of melanocytes with a diameter greater than 20 cm, occur in 1 in 20,000 births. The lifetime risk of malignant transformation in GCN is reported between 5% and 20% and most commonly occurs in the first 3 to 5 years of life. This article reviews the risk factors of malignant transformation and highlights the diagnostic challenges of malignant melanoma in the pediatric population utilizing a clinical report of a patient with GCN. CASE DESCRIPTION: A male patient with giant congenital nevus of the scalp with over 20 satellite nevi was evaluated at the authors' institution at 1 week of life. Beginning at 9 months of age, he underwent serial excision of GCN and satellite lesions. Initial pathology showed compound congenital melanocytic nevus. Subsequent pathology on serial excisions demonstrated compound nevus with clonal expansion of pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma (PEM). He then underwent complete excision of GCN. Pathology demonstrated malignant melanoma that was confirmed by consensus review with outside institutions. The patient was diagnosed with stage III metastatic melanoma after further imaging. He was treated with cervical nodal dissection and interferon alpha-2b. At the time of last visit, the patient had no evidence of melanoma. DISCUSSION: This case highlights the difficulties of clinical and pathologic diagnosis of malignant melanoma in the setting of GCN. Pathology can vary between biopsy sites and initial biopsies can suggest nonmalignant melanocytic lesions, as demonstrated in this patient's case. Correct histologic evaluation often requires input from a relatively few centers that treat a larger volume of childhood melanoma. Analysis of gene expression profiles aids in accurate diagnosis of PEM, proliferative nodule or melanoma. It is important to differentiate PEM, a low-grade, indolent melanoma, from malignant melanoma as the treatment differs significantly. Review of pathology by expert dermatopathologists from multiple institutions is vital for diagnostic accuracy, and patients with malignant transformation of GCN are best served by multidisciplinary teams.

Wound Healing Complications After Cranial Vault Reconstruction for Craniosynostosis.

Craniosynostosis is a congenital cranial malformation involving premature fusion of cranial sutures. Indications for surgical repair of craniosynostosis include elevation of intracranial pressure, which can result in impaired vision and mental disability, as well as correction of abnormal skull shape. Resorbable plating systems have become the preferred technique for bony fixation in the repair of craniosynostosis. Multiple studies demonstrate the safety and low complication rate of resorbable plating systems.However, there is no consensus on which plating system is superior for patient outcomes. This study aims to investigate how the polymer composition of resorbable plating systems utilized in cranial vault reconstruction contributes to wound healing complications. A retrospective chart review was performed at the institution between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2015. About 202 patients who underwent surgical repair of craniosynostosis were identified. The results showed that patients receiving the Biomet Lactosorb plating system were over twice as likely to have a wound complication within a year of surgery compared to other plating systems used at the institution. Wound complications continued to occur in the Biomet Lactosorb group at ≥180 days after surgery, whereas complications among the other plating systems occurred ≤80 days postoperatively. Half of all patients with wound complications had to undergo reoperation. These data demonstrate the effect of unique polymer compositions on wound healing, and will help to guide future clinical practice and industry development of resorbable plating systems.

Provision and Utilization of Team- and Community-Based Operative Care for Patients With Cleft Lip/Palate in North Carolina.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize operative care for cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) based on location (ie, from American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association [ACPA]-approved multidisciplinary teams or from community providers). DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database and State Ambulatory Surgery & Services Database databases for North Carolina from 2012 to 2015. SETTING/PATIENTS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical encounters for children with CL/P undergoing operative procedures were identified, classified by location as "Team" versus "Community," and characterized by demographic, geographic, clinical, and procedural factors. A secondary evaluation reviewed concordance of team and community practices with an ACPA guideline related to coordination of care. RESULTS: Three teams and 39 community providers performed a total of 3010 cleft-related procedures across 2070 encounters. Teams performed 69.7% of total volume and performed the majority of cleft procedures, including cleft lip repair, palate repair, alveolar bone grafting, and correction of velopharyngeal insufficiency. Community locations principally offered myringotomy and rhinoplasty. Team care was associated with higher guideline concordance. CONCLUSIONS: American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association -approved team-based care accounts for the majority of cleft-related care in North Carolina; however, a substantial volume of cleft-related procedures was provided by community providers, with 3 providers accounting for the vast majority of community cases.

Marjolin Ulcer: A Comprehensive Review.

GENERAL PURPOSE: To provide a comprehensive review of Marjolin ulcer (MU) to assist clinicians in understanding the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of MU. TARGET AUDIENCE: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES: After participating in this educational activity, the participant will:1. Describe the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of MU.2. Summarize the diagnostic and treatment approaches for patients who have an MU. ABSTRACT: This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of Marjolin ulcer (MU) to assist clinicians in understanding the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of MU. Marjolin ulcer presents with clear signs and symptoms of malignant degeneration in chronic wounds. It can be prevented by raising awareness and educating wound care providers appropriately about its signs and symptoms.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of Marjolin ulcer (MU) to assist clinicians in understanding the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of MU. Marjolin ulcer presents with clear signs and symptoms of malignant degeneration in chronic wounds. It can be prevented by raising awareness and educating wound care providers appropriately about its signs and symptoms.

All That You Can't Leave Behind: Professionalism as the Focus of Mentoring and Modeling.

Mentoring serves a critical and necessary role not only in the advancement of plastic surgery, but also in maintaining the health of our specialty. In addition to providing a driving force for innovation--which remains the core competency of plastic surgery--mentoring is a powerful, educational tool that helps us teach the critical skills of communication and model the tenets of professionalism. Our identity as innovators, healers, and providers of hope is dependent on conferring what it means to be a professional, from those who are just beginning their journey as surgeons, to those who are still on that odyssey.

Outcomes of Vacuum-Assisted Therapy in the Treatment of Head and Neck Wounds.

INTRODUCTION: Head and neck wounds can present a reconstructive challenge for the plastic surgeon. Whether from skin cancer, trauma, or burns, there are many different treatment modalities used to dress and manage complex head and neck wounds. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy has been used on wounds of nearly every aspect of the body but not routinely in the head and neck area. This study was conducted to demonstrate our results using the VAC in the treatment of complex head and neck wounds. METHODS: This is an IRB-approved, retrospective review of 69 patients with 73 head and neck wounds that were managed using the VAC between 1999 and 2008. The wound mechanism, location, and size, length of VAC therapy, patient comorbidities, use of radiation, complications, and ultimate outcome were assessed. In this patient population, the VAC was utilized because the standard reconstructive ladder was not a good option or had previously failed. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients with complex head and neck wounds were treated with the wound VAC. The mean age of the patients was 66 years, with a range of 5-96 years. Males outnumbered females in this study nearly 2:1. Eighty-six percent of patients had wounds secondary to cancer, 8% secondary to trauma, 3% secondary to infection, and 3% secondary to burns. The VAC was used as a dressing over skin grafts in 50%, over Integra in 21%, and over open debrided wounds in 29%. Wounds healed without complication in 44% of the skin grafts, 67% of Integra-covered wounds, and 71% of debrided wounds. Minor complications included failure of complete graft take, failure of granulation tissue formation in open debrided wounds, infection, and hematoma formation under skin grafts. Major complications included positive cancer margins requiring reexcision and death secondary to pulmonary embolism, sepsis, and metastatic cancer. Most complications resolved with dressing changes, repeat grafting, or the administration of antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that the wound VAC provides a reliable, effective, and durable dressing for a multitude of complex head and neck wounds. Additionally, it is a valuable tool when traditional surgical procedures are not a viable option.

The Use of Brainlab Navigation in Le Fort III Osteotomy.

Le Fort III osteotomy is commonly used in the surgical correction of midface hypoplasia, specifically in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis. These osteotomies can be associated with significant complications, which are often the result of incomplete or inaccurate osteotomies. Brainlab, a technology first developed for neurosurgery, has been applied to numerous surgical subspecialties. The aim of this study was to report our initial experience using the Brainlab VectorVision2 and Brainlab Curve (Brainlab, Westchester, IL) as an intraoperative guidance system for osteotomy placement during Le Fort III advancement. Three pediatric patients with syndromic craniosynostosis and midface hypoplasia scheduled to undergo Le Fort III advancement were scanned preoperatively with 0.6-mm computed tomography cuts, which were then uploaded to the Brainlab system. All surgeries commenced with rigid fixation of the Brainlab registration device to the patient's skull. The navigation system was used intraoperatively to accurately determine osteotomy sites and trajectories. External distractors were placed without complication. Mean length of surgery was 331 minutes, and mean estimated blood loss was 500 mL. No transfusion was required with a mean postoperative hemoglobin of 8.3 g/dL. The application of Brainlab technology to Le Fort III advancement proved useful in establishing precise osteotomy lines and trajectories. Looking forward, this technology could be applied to a minimal dissection technique in order to avoid extensive blood loss. Further study would be needed to determine possible benefits such as reduced complications or operative time when using an intraoperative navigation system for image-guided osteotomy placement during Le Fort III advancement.

Craniosynostosis incision: scalpel or cautery?

There is an ongoing debate regarding the optimal instrument for scalp incisions: the scalpel or electrocautery. The argument generally focuses on improved healing after an incision made with a knife and decreased bleeding when using electrocautery. This study compares the use of scalpel and electrocautery in making coronal incisions for patients undergoing surgical correction of craniosynostosis. The outcome metric used is wound healing within 6 months after surgery. All patients presenting to the University of North Carolina Children's Hospital with craniosynostosis between July 1, 2007 and January 1, 2010 requiring a coronal incision for surgical correction were prospectively enrolled. In all of these patients, half of the coronal incision was made with knife; the other half, with needle tip cautery. Side of the incision was specified at the time of surgery in the operative report. Patients were excluded from the study if the instrument for incision was not specified or if only 1 modality was used for the entire incision. Sixty-eight patients underwent cranial vault reconstruction, of which 58 met inclusion criteria. Of the 58 matched pairs, 55 were analyzed statistically. The 3 excluded cases were those who had midline complications. There were 17 wound complications (15%): 8 in the knife group, 6 in the cautery group, and 3 at midline (with indeterminate side for the problem). We found no statistically significant difference in wound healing between incisions made with a knife or with electrocautery.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Adult Patients With an Orofacial Cleft: An Unseen Psychological Burden.

OBJECTIVES: Facial dysmorphic disorder (FDD), a variant of body dysmorphic disorder, occurs when individuals are preoccupied with perceived defects in their facial appearance. Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) requires many clinical interventions and has significant psychological impacts on a patient's perception of appearance. This study identified psychological burdens related to living as an adult with CL/P and characterizes the degree of FDD symptoms in an adult craniofacial population. METHODS: This was a prospective, single-center, cross-sectional case-control study using semi-structured interviews and symptom assessments at a university-based craniofacial center. Patients without CL/P undergoing non-cosmetic facial surgery were recruited as controls (n = 20). Patients with an orofacial cleft (n = 30) were recruited from medical and dental providers at the University of North Carolina. Body Dysmorphic Disorder-Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (BBD-YBOCS) scores were collected from a control population and patients with CL/P to assess FDD severity. RESULTS: Demographic factors such age, biological sex, and ethnicity had no significant impact on FDD symptom scores. Patient with CL/P were more likely to have significant FDD symptoms (BDD-YBOCS greater than 16) than patients without CL/P (OR 10.5, CI95 2.7-41.1), and had a mean difference in FDD symptoms scores of 10.04 (p < 0.0001; CI95 5.5-14.6). Patients with CL/P seen by a mental health provider in the past 3 months had 3-fold lower overall FDD symptom scores (OR 0.081; CI95 0.0085-0.77). CONCLUSIONS: Adults with CL/P would benefit from treatment for cleft-specific needs and psychological support as they face unique stressors related to their appearance, including an increase in FDD-associated symptoms. This study emphasizes the importance of recognizing psychological symptoms and providing ongoing multidisciplinary care to adults with CL/P. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3; Individual case-control study Laryngoscope, 133:818-821, 2023.

Decision Considerations and Strategies for Lip Surgery in Patients with Cleft lip/Palate: A Qualitative Study.

Objective: To qualitatively assess surgeons decision making for lip surgery in patients with cleft lip/palate (CL/P). Design: Prospective, non-randomized, clinical trial. Setting: Clinical data institutional laboratory setting. Patients Participants: The study included both patient and surgeon participants recruited from four craniofacial centers. The patient participants were babies with a CL/P requiring primary lip repair surgery (n=16) and adolescents with repaired CL/P who may require secondary lip revision surgery (n=32). The surgeon participants (n=8) were experienced in cleft care. Facial imaging data that included 2D images, 3D images, videos, and objective 3D visual modelling of facial movements were collected from each patient, and compiled as a collage termed the Standardized Assessment for Facial Surgery (SAFS) for systematic viewing by the surgeons. Interventions: The SAFS served as the intervention. Each surgeon viewed the SAFS for six distinct patients (two babies and four adolescents) and provided a list of surgical problems and goals. Then an in-depth-interview (IDI) was conducted with each surgeon to explore their decision-making processes. IDIs were conducted either in person or virtually, recorded, and then transcribed for qualitative statistical analyses using the Grounded Theory Method. Results: Rich narratives/themes emerged that included timing of the surgery; risks/limitations and benefits of surgery; patient/family goals; planning for muscle repair and scarring; multiplicity of surgeries and their impact; and availability of resources. For diagnoses/treatments, surgeons agreed, and level of surgical experience was not a factor. Conclusions: The themes provided important information to populate a checklist of considerations to serve as a guide for clinicians.

Decision Considerations and Strategies for Lip Surgery in Patients with Cleft lip/Palate: A Qualitative Study.

Objective: To qualitatively assess surgeons' decision making for lip surgery in patients with cleft lip/palate (CL/P). Design: Prospective, non-randomized, clinical trial. Setting: Clinical data institutional laboratory setting. Patients Participants: The study included both patient and surgeon participants recruited from four craniofacial centers. The patient participants were babies with a CL/P requiring primary lip repair surgery (n=16) and adolescents with repaired CL/P who may require secondary lip revision surgery (n=32). The surgeon participants (n=8) were experienced in cleft care. Facial imaging data that included 2D images, 3D images, videos, and objective 3D visual modelling of facial movements were collected from each patient, and compiled as a collage termed the 'Standardized Assessment for Facial Surgery (SAFS)' for systematic viewing by the surgeons. Interventions: The SAFS served as the intervention. Each surgeon viewed the SAFS for six distinct patients (two babies and four adolescents) and provided a list of surgical problems and goals. Then an in-depth-interview (IDI) was conducted with each surgeon to explore their decision-making processes. IDIs were conducted either 'in person' or virtually, recorded, and then transcribed for qualitative statistical analyses using the Grounded Theory Method. Results: Rich narratives/themes emerged that included timing of the surgery; risks/limitations and benefits of surgery; patient/family goals; planning for muscle repair and scarring; multiplicity of surgeries and their impact; and availability of resources. In general, there was surgeon agreement for the diagnoses/treatments. Conclusions: The themes provided important information to populate a checklist of considerations to serve as a guide for clinicians.

Midline dermoid cyst resulting in frontal bone erosion.

A dermoid cyst is a thin-walled benign tumor formed by the entrapment of ectodermal tissue during embryologic development, resulting in the inclusion of epithelium and adnexal elements within the tumor. Dermoids are not unique to a single anatomic location but are often isolated to the skin and subcutaneous tissue. They may occur intracranially or intra-abdominally, oftentimes associated with the ovary. If presenting as a midline mass of the skull, preoperative imaging with computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging is necessary to evaluate for possible intracranial extension, given the altered embryologic development behind the formation of these cysts. Differential diagnosis of a midline frontonasal mass includes epidermoid or dermoid cyst, encephalocele, glioma, and sinus pericranii. The management of suspected dermoid cysts includes complete surgical excision, which may require a combined intracranial and extracranial approach. We present a 2-year-old boy who presented to our institution with a congenital midline scalp mass separate from the anterior fontanelle with complete underlying bony erosion to the sagittal sinus demonstrated on preoperative imaging, who required early surgical excision and reconstruction of the bony defect.

Giant facial lymphangioma.

Lymphatic malformation (LM) is a benign cystic entity resulting from aberrant lymphatic drainage. Often evident at birth, most LMs have declared themselves by 2 years of age. They can be concerning when they occur near vital structures such as the airway or orbit. The natural history varies considerable from spontaneous gradual regression to long-term growth and debilitation. Depending on the location, structures involved, and clinical course of the LM, therapeutic options include observation, intralesional sclerosis, laser therapy, and surgical excision. The literature provides guidelines for treatment options that must be carefully applied to the facial region. We present a newborn infant who presented to our institution with giant facial lymphangioma who underwent a combination of sclerosis, laser ablation, and surgery with reconstruction.

Outcome analysis of factors impacting the plastic surgery match.

Matching into an integrated plastic surgery program has become highly competitive. As a result it has become more difficult for both the applicants and the residency programs to determine which attributes are most important to match in plastic surgery and, more importantly, to make a surgeon who will contribute to the future of our specialty. This study was conducted to analyze potential associations between a successful match into plastic surgery and the number of interviews offered and attended, Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) membership, and participation in away rotations. Increased competitiveness of the specialty also has required that the applicant spend significant time and money on the match process to improve his chances. Therefore, we looked at the financial impact of the interview process as well as at compliance with the new communication mandate by the Plastic Surgery Residency Review Committee designed to decrease some of the time and monetary costs associated with the match process. An anonymous 30-item survey was e-mailed to all the applicants to our institution last year. The survey consisted of questions addressing applicant profile with specific questions regarding the interview process. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and proportions for each of the questions, were calculated. To assess the relationship between categorical outcomes, a Fisher exact test was used. Results with a P value less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Considering matching as the primary outcome measure, a statistically significant relationship was found with the number of plastic surgery interview invitations received and attended (P < 0.0001 for both), as well as with AOA membership (P = 0.018), with 89% (32/36) of the responders in AOA matching into plastic surgery. Although doing an away rotation did not have a significant association with match rate, one-third of responders matched where they did an away rotation. Gender was not found to influence match rate. This study supports with hard data the assumptions regarding matching into a competitive specialty: the more interview invitations received and interviews attended, and the more academically competitive the applicant, the more likely the applicant is to match. By applying this data, more precise guidelines may be developed to advise applicants concerning preparation for a successful match.