Trends in the research profile of matched independent plastic surgery fellows.

ABSTRACT: The independent plastic surgery pathway recruits candidates with 5 years of surgical training who are typically more advanced in research than their integrated counterparts. Research productivity helps to discriminate between applicants. However, no studies exist detailing the academic attributes of matched independent plastic surgery candidates.We performed a cohort study of 161 independent plastic surgery fellows from accredited residency programs from the 2015 to 2017 application cycles. We performed a bibliometric analysis utilizing Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar to identify research output measures at the time of application.The cohort was predominantly men (66%) with a median of 3 articles and a H-index of 1 at the time of application. Interestingly, 16% of successful candidates had no published articles at the time of application, and this did not change significantly over time (P = .0740). Although the H-index remained stable (R 0.13, P = .1095), the number of published journal articles per candidate significantly decreased over 3 consecutive application cycles (R -0.16, P = .0484). Analysis of article types demonstrated a significant increase in basic science articles (R 0.18, P = .0366) and a concurrent decrease in editorial-type publications (R = -0.18, P = .0374).Despite the decline in publication volume of matched independent plastic surgery fellows, the quality of their research portfolio has remained constant. Matched applicants appear to be shifting focus from faster-to-publish articles to longer but higher impact projects. In selecting a training route, applicants must weigh the highly competitive integrated path against the dwindling number of independent positions.

Academic Productivity Among Plastic Surgery Subspecialty Fellowship Applicants.

INTRODUCTION: Plastic surgery subspecialty fellowships are highly competitive. Academic productivity is an objective metric that can be used to compare candidates. This study aims to evaluate intersubspecialty differences in academic profiles of plastic surgery fellows. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the plastic surgery fellows in the United States from 2015 to 2019. We used the San Francisco Match website and individual program websites to obtain details of fellowship programs (microsurgery, aesthetic, hand, and craniofacial) and plastic surgery fellows. Bibliometric data at the time of fellowship application were obtained for each fellow. RESULTS: A total of 235 fellows were included. There was a significant difference in the median number of publications (P = 0.0067) and h-index (P = 0.0229) across subspecialties. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that dedicated research time was predictive for a high publication count (odds ratio [OR], 3.59; P = 0.0007) and h-index (OR, 4.88; P < 0.0001) at the time of fellowship application. Although international residency and aesthetic fellowship application were predictive of a reduced number of publications (OR, 0.17; P < 0.0001, and OR, 0.43; P = 0.0190, respectively), H-index was increased by possession of an advanced degree (OR, 2.00; P = 0.0291) and decreased with international residency (OR, 0.26, P = 0.0021). CONCLUSIONS: All plastic surgery fellows have highly qualified academic profiles at the time of fellowship application. Academic productivity differs between subspecialty fellowships. Those wishing to match into competitive subspecialties should consider taking dedicated time for research or attaining an advanced degree.

Integrated Plastic Surgery Match: Trends in Research Productivity of Successful Candidates.

BACKGROUND: Plastic surgery continues to be one of the most competitive specialties in the residency match. Research productivity is a key component of the selection process. Nevertheless, potential applicants have a poor understanding of the strength of their research credentials in comparison to other applicants. METHODS: The authors identified successful applicants from the 2012 to 2017 integrated plastic surgery residency application cycles. The authors performed a bibliometric analysis of these residents using Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar to identify published articles at the time of application. The authors then calculated the h-index of each applicant at the time of application. RESULTS: The authors included 829 integrated residents. The median h-index was 0 (interquartile range, 0 to 3) and the median number of publications was 2 (interquartile range, 0 to 5) for all applicants. The proportion of applicants with at least one publication at the point of application increased significantly over time (60 percent in 2012 versus 76 percent in 2017; p = 0.0072). In addition, the number of publications per applicant increased over time (one in 2012 versus two in 2017; p = 0.0005), as did h-index (0 in 2012 versus 1 in 2017; p = 0.0015). Strikingly, the number and percentage of review articles among applicants increased significantly over this time frame (9 percent versus 14 percent; p = 0.0299). CONCLUSIONS: The increasing level of academic productivity among applicants may reflect the increasing competitiveness of the integrated plastic surgery residency application process. As the pressure to compete for a training position increases, students may seek faster-to-publish articles to gain an edge.

A Multidisciplinary Technique for Concurrent Panniculectomy-Living Donor Renal Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Recently, it has been shown that panniculectomy concurrent to living donor renal transplantation is a safe option for management of renal transplant recipients with a large focal pannus. This combined management requires precise coordination of teams. We describe the technique, timing, and sequence for combined renal transplantation and panniculectomy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of adult patients (≥18 years old) who underwent simultaneous living donor renal transplantation-panniculectomy from 2015 to 2019. A multi-team approach that included urology, transplant, and plastic surgery was used to perform the combined operations. Typically, the plastic surgery team initiates the operation by performing the panniculectomy. This is followed by kidney transplantation and graft anastomosis. The plastic surgery team then completes the operation with closure of the wound. RESULTS: Twenty patients were identified. Most were male (12:8) with a mean age of 55 years and an average body mass index of 35 kg/m. The mean total operative duration was 394 minutes. On average, 17% of operating time was devoted to panniculectomy. At 90 days follow-up, there was 100% graft survival and all patients had primary graft function. There was a 25% wound complications rate and a 15% reoperation rate. CONCLUSION: By performing panniculectomy first in the sequence, concurrent panniculectomy provides wide exposure and a large operative field for transplantation. Wound closure by plastic surgeons may mitigate the high complication rate commonly seen in obese patients with end-stage renal disease. Future studies are needed to evaluate the cost-benefit of the combined living donor renal transplantation-panniculectomy.

A Review of Insurance Coverage of Gender-Affirming Genital Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Despite the multiple benefits of gender-affirming surgery for treatment of gender dysphoria, research shows that barriers to care still exist. Third-party payers play a pivotal role in enabling access to transition-related care. The authors assessed insurance coverage of genital reconstructive ("bottom") surgery and evaluated the differences between policy criteria and international standards of care. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of insurance policies for coverage of bottom surgery was conducted. Insurance companies were selected based on their state enrollment data and market share. A Web-based search and telephone interviews were performed to identify the policies and coverage status. Medical necessity criteria were abstracted from publicly available policies. RESULTS: Fifty-seven insurers met inclusion criteria. Almost one in 10 providers did not hold a favorable policy for bottom surgery. Of the 52 insurers who provided coverage, 17 percent held criteria that matched international recommendations. No single criterion was universally required by insurers. Minimum age and definition of gender dysphoria were the requirements with most variation across policies. Almost one in five insurers used proof of legal name change as a coverage requirement. Ten percent would provide coverage for fertility preservation, while 17 percent would cover reversal of the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the medical necessity, legislative mandates, and economic benefits, global provision of gender-affirming genital surgery is not in place. Furthermore, there is variable adherence to international standards of care. Use of surplus criteria, such as legal name change, may act as an additional barrier to care even when insurance coverage is provided.

Gender Surgery Beyond Chest and Genitals: Current Insurance Landscape.

BACKGROUND: Plastic surgery plays an essential role in the treatment of gender dysphoria. International standards of care currently consider genital and chest surgeries to be medically necessary. Ancillary procedures such as facial surgery, chondrolaryngoplasty, hair restoration/removal, and body contouring are considered cosmetic surgeries except in individual circumstances. OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to assess the frequency of coverage provision for ancillary transition-related surgeries through a cross-sectional analysis of US insurance policies. METHODS: The authors selected insurance companies based on state enrollment data and market share. Policies were identified through web-based search and telephone interviews. A list of eligible procedures was compiled and grouped into 5 categories: body masculinization, body feminization, facial procedures, hair restoration/removal, and chondrolaryngoplasty. Medical necessity criteria from publicly accessible policies were then abstracted. RESULTS: Sixty-one insurance companies held an established policy. One-third of these policies offered favorable coverage for at least 1 ancillary procedure. Chondrolaryngoplasty was the most covered category (26%, n = 16), whereas body masculinization was the least covered (8%, n = 5). Almost two-thirds of the companies with favorable policies listed coverage criteria. We identified 4 recurring requirements: age, hormone therapy, continuous living in a congruent gender role, and referral from a mental health professional. CONCLUSIONS: There is a low prevalence of US insurance coverage for ancillary gender surgeries and wide variability in coverage criteria. Reevaluation of ancillary transition-related procedures from cosmetic to medically necessary based on clinical judgement or establishment of defined coverage criteria may augment coverage and better address the needs of transgender patients.

Health Insurance Coverage of Gender-Affirming Top Surgery in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Despite the medical necessity, legislative mandates, and economic benefits of gender-affirming surgery, access to treatment remains limited. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) has proposed guidelines for transition-related surgery in conjunction with criteria to delineate medical necessity. The authors assessed insurance coverage of "top" gender-affirming surgery and evaluated the differences between insurance policy criteria and WPATH recommendations. METHODS: The authors conducted a cross-sectional analysis of insurance policies for coverage of top gender-affirming surgery. Insurance companies were selected based on their state enrollment data and market share. A Web-based search and individual telephone interviews were conducted to identify the policy. Medical necessity criteria were abstracted from publicly available policies. RESULTS: Of the 57 insurers evaluated, bilateral mastectomy (transmasculine) was covered by significantly more insurers than breast augmentation (transfeminine) (96 percent versus 68 percent; p < 0.0001). Only 4 percent of companies used WPATH-consistent criteria. No criterion was universally required by insurers. Additional prerequisites for coverage that extended beyond WPATH guidelines for top surgery were continuous living in congruent gender role, two referring mental health professionals, and hormone therapy before surgery. Hormone therapy was required in a significantly higher proportion of transfeminine policies compared with transmasculine policies (90 percent versus 21 percent; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the marked intercompany variation in criteria for insurance coverage that often deviated from WPATH recommendations, there are health care insurers who categorically deny access to top gender-affirming surgery. A greater evidence base is needed to provide further support for the medical necessity criteria in current use.