Plastic Surgery Essentials for Students-Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 1: Introduction

Pdf Summary

This introductory chapter, authored by Deana Shenaq, MD, discusses the crafting of a book that is a collaborative effort by the Young Plastic Surgeons Steering Committee and various plastic surgery residents and fellows. This updated version of "Essentials" includes new chapters on trending topics such as lymphedema, gender affirmation surgery, and composite tissue allotransplantation, while also modernizing existing content with color photographs. The book's primary audience is medical and plastic surgery students, designed to offer a concise introduction to the specialty with guided references for further exploration. The book is structured to be read in sequence, acknowledging the time constraints faced by students.<br /><br />Plastic surgery has a rich history dating back nearly 3000 years, to the work of Indian surgeon Sushruta, and has significantly evolved through developments necessitated by World War injuries and recent advancements like the operating microscope. This progress has enabled notable achievements in small vessel and nerve repair, and the groundbreaking replantation and transplantation of tissues such as hands and partial faces.<br /><br />The book provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse areas in which modern plastic surgeons operate and undergo training. To further support medical students, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons offers complimentary online copies of this handbook to students in the United States and Canada. Additionally, updated procedural information and resources are available through the ASPS/PSF website and the Plastic Surgery Education Network, with the book also accessible as an app on major platforms under the title "Plastic Surgery Essentials for Students."

Keywords

plastic surgery

medical students

gender affirmation surgery

lymphodema

composite tissue allotransplantation

Sushruta

surgical advancements

ASPS

Plastic Surgery Education Network

Plastic Surgery Essentials