2025 In-Service/Self-Assessment Surgeons Exam

The In-Service Examination is comprised of a question and answer examination, individual score sheet, normative table and syllabus, which includes questions, answers, and references. The materials have been compiled by the ASPS In-Service Examination Committee along with the National Board of Medical Examiners® professional staff. All questions were reviewed and found to be objective and supported by appropriate review of the literature and align with evidence-based research. Content in this educational activity has been reviewed by peers and professionals to determine that the content is fair, balanced, and unbiased.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the participants will be able to:

Identify the most up-to-date information on the core curriculum of plastic surgery
Self-assess base knowledge of the five clinical component areas
Establish a benchmark for areas of focus needing further concentrated educational efforts
Attend appropriate educational activities based upon self-assessment evaluation

This activity will address the following ACGME/ABMS Competencies:

Medical Knowledge
Patient Care and Procedural Skills

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS^®) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation
The ASPS designates this enduring material for 37.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™*. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

7.5 of the 37.5 credits have been identified as applicable to Patient Safety.

*Minimum passing score required.

Disclosure Policy
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) requires all instructors, planners, reviewers, managers and other individuals in a position to control or influence the content of an activity to disclose all relevant financial relationships or affiliations. All identified conflicts of interest must be resolved and the educational content thoroughly vetted by ASPS for fair balance, scientific objectivity and appropriateness of patient care recommendations. ASPS also requires faculty/authors to disclose when off-label/unapproved uses of product are discussed in a CME activity or included in related materials. Disclaimer: All relevant financial relationships for planners, faculty, and others in control of content (either individually or as a group) are reviewed by the ASPS Continuing Education Committee and have been mitigated, if applicable.

The In-Service Examination is comprised of a question-and-answer examination, test review report, normative table and syllabus which includes questions, answers, and references. All questions were reviewed and found to be objective and supported by appropriate review of the literature and align with evidence-based research. Content in this educational activity has been reviewed by peers and professionals to determine that the content is fair, balanced and unbiased.

Overview of Your Exam/Self-Assessment

Section Number of Items

Comprehensive 50

Hand and Lower Extremity 50

Craniomaxillofacial 50

Breast and Cosmetic 50

Core Surgical Principles 50

Evaluation

Beginning in 2024, ASPS will no longer support the ability to download the exam questions or respective answer sheets, as a means to further protect the integrity of the In-Service Exam (ISE).

In our continuous efforts to safeguard the integrity of the In-Service Exam (ISE), the questions and answers to the exam will no longer be shared through the ACEPS site or via ASPS’ post exam materials. Recognizing the significance of self-study, ASPS will provide the rationales and references for use through a new tool, the In-Service Exam Rationales & References Study Guide.

By using the explanations and references to direct study, examinees will focus on fully understanding the concepts being covered – enhancing the ability to retain and recall information in practice. The goal of the exam is to enhance critical thinking and analytical skills, leading to a more effective and comprehensive learning experience.

We hope that the Rationales and References Study Guide will help you create a self-study tool that targets specific areas that need improvement, providing you with a deeper knowledge of the topics and offering the support of additional sources and materials for further reading and research. Please note that the ASPS In-Service Exam and its intellectual properties are copyright protected. No portion of the exam or its questions may be utilized without written permission from ASPS. All requests for use should be relayed to ASPS in writing for consideration.

ASPS In-Service Exam Committee

Writing 2025 In-Service Exam

Scott Lifchez, MD, Overall Chair

Devra Becker, MD, Overall Vice-Chair

Comprehensive

Hand and Lower Extremity

Craniomaxillofacial

Breast and Cosmetic

Core Surgical Principles

Umar Choudry, MD, Chair

Alexander Spiess, MD, Chair

Alexander Davit, III, MD, Chair

Thomas Fiala, MD, MBA, CPE, Chair

J. Gui Christiano, MD, FACS, Chair

Jonathan Black, MD

James Butterworth, MD

Abigail Chaffin

Manish Champaneria, MD

Angela Cheng, MD

Jared Davis, MD

Noopur Gangopadhyay, MD

Timothy Germain, MD

Al Hassanein, MD, MMSc, FACS

Arash Momeni, MD

Marilyn Ng, MD

Farooq Shahzad, MD

Indranil Sinha, MD

Geoffrey Sisk, MD

Matthew Steele, MD

Rheena Bhatt, MD

Christie Bialowas, MD

Avery Capone, MD

Andrew Chen, MD, FACS

Ashish Francis, MD

Paul Ghareeb, MD

Steven Haase, MD

Randy Hauck, MD

Lydia Helliwell, MD

Amy Kite, MD

Amber Leis, MD

Suhail Mithani, MD

Gary F. Rogers, MD

Simon Talbot, MD

Eric Wang, MD

Jesse Goldstein, MD

Matthew M. Hanasono, MD

Anand Kumar, MD

Kerry Latham, MD

Jonathan Lee, MD

Alexander Lin, MD

Renata Maricevich, MD

Clinton Morrison, MD

Gregory Pearson, MD

Gary F. Rogers, MD

S. Alex Rottgers, MD

Anil Shetty, MD

Peter Taub, MD

June Wu, AB, MD

Alexander Anzarut, MD

Saied Asfa, MD, FACS

John Bauer, MD

Devra Becker, MD

James Fernau, MD

Jeffery Flagg, MD

Amir Ghaznavi, MD

Lawrence Glassman, MD

Eric Halvorson, MD

David M. Kahn, MD

Sumesh Kaswan, MD

Christian Kauffman, MD

Michelle Lee, MD

Michele Manahan, MD

Cindy McCord, MD

Nicole Nemeth, MD

William Reynolds, MD

Sachin Shridharani, MD, FACS

Dawn Wang, MD

Cindy Wu, MD

Brian Andrews, MD

Richard Baynosa, MD

Michael Chu, MD

Julia Corcoran, MD

Brian Gander, MD

Darrin Hubert, MD

Tara Huston, MD

Jeffrey Larson, MD

Suhair Maqusi, MD

Brett Michelotti, MD

Oren Mushin, MD

Lauren Nigro, MD

Deana Shenaq, MD

Robinder Singh, MD

Howard Wang, MD

Disclosures of all Chairs, Speakers, Authors, Moderators, Reviewers, Committee Members, and other appropriate individuals:

Richard Baynosa, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: Allergan/Abbvie – Consultant, RTI – Consultant; AFFILIATIONS: Board Member (President-Elect / President) – Mountain West Society of Plastic Surgeons; PUBLIC: Pfizer - Ticker: PFE - Type: Stock Options - Amount: $1,001-$5,000 - Relationship Ended: No;
Devra Becker, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: Thieme Publisher – Contractor; AFFILIATIONS: ACAPS – Board of directors, ASMS – Board of directors, AAPS – Editor of FACE, AAPS – Issues Committee, ASPS – Committee member, ACAPS – Committee member, ASMS – Committee member; PRIVATE: Lazurite - Ticker: n/a - Type: Stock Options, Other - Amount: $50,001-$100,000 - Relationship Ended: No, Wavemaker 360 LLC - Ticker: n/a - Type: Other - Amount: $50,001-$100,000 - Relationship Ended: No;
Jonathan Black, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: Stryker Corp – Consultant; PUBLIC: Stryker Corp - Ticker: SYK - Type: Consulting Fees, Payment for Speaking Engagement - Amount: $1,001-$5,000 - Relationship Ended: No;
James Butterworth, MD	AFFILIATIONS: ASPS, ACAPS, ASRM, ACS, Friends of San Lucas Hospital Committee for Father Gregorio Schaffer Hospital in San Lucas Tolimán Guatemala; INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS: Axogen Sensation NOW registry; Nothing to Disclose
Avery Capone, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: Shadyside Surgi-Center - Officer; PRIVATE: Shadyside Surgi-Center - Ticker: n/a - Type: Employee / Owner - Amount: $10,001-$50,000 - Relationship Ended: No;
Abigail Chaffin, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: Aroa Biosurgery - Consultant, Urgo Medical North America - Consultant; AFFILIATIONS: Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons – Executive Committee member (Trustee); PUBLIC: Aroa Biosurgery - Ticker: ARX.AX - Type: Consulting Fees, Payment for Speaking Engagement - Amount: $10,001-$50,000 - Relationship Ended: No; PRIVATE: Urgo Medical North America - Ticker: NOT A PUBLIC COMPANY - Type: Consulting Fees, Payment for Speaking Engagement - Amount: $10,001-$50,000 - Relationship Ended: No;
Manish Champaneria, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: MiMedx - Speakers Bureau Member, Kerecis - Speakers Bureau Member; AFFILIATIONS: ASPS – Committee members (In-Service Exam Committee, Pride Steering Committee, ASPS Continuing Education Committee, ASPS EdNet Editorial Subcommittee), California Society of Plastic Surgeons – Program Committee; PUBLIC: MiMedx - Ticker: mdxg - Type: Payment for Speaking Engagement - Amount: $1,001-$5,000 - Relationship Ended: No; PRIVATE: Kerecis - Ticker: None - Type: Payment for Speaking Engagement - Amount: $1,001-$5,000 - Relationship Ended: No;
Angela Cheng, MD	AFFILIATIONS: Aesthetic Surgery Journal – Editorial board member, American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery – Committee member (Nominating and Audit), American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons – Communications committee chair, American Society of Plastic Surgeons – Committee member (In-Service, REC, WPS, program committee vice-chair of breast reconstruction); Nothing to Disclose;
Julia Corcoran, MD	PRIVATE: Immersive Touch - Ticker: Na - Type: Stock Options, Other - Amount: $10,001-$50,000 - Relationship Ended: No;
Jared Davis, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: Integra LifeSciences - Consultant;
Thomas Fiala, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: Dominion Aesthetics - Consultant; AFFILIATIONS: ASERF – Board member, ASAPS – Safety Committee member, F&I committees, ASPS – Committee member & chair (ISE Committee, Safety Committee), Former Trustee - Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons; OTHER: Brijjit Inc. – Stock holder; PRIVATE: Dominion Aesthetics - Ticker: n/a - Type: Stock Options, Consulting Fees - Amount: $10,001-$50,000 - Relationship Ended: No;
Ashish Francis, MD	AFFILIATIONS: ASPS Practice Management Committee Chair;
Brian Glatt, MD	AFFILIATIONS: NESPS – President, ASAPS – Member; Nothing to Disclose
Jesse Goldstein, MD	AFFILIATIONS: Robert H Ivy Society of Plastic Surgeons (PA Plastic Surgery Society) – President, Ohio Valley Society of Plastic Surgeons – Member at Large; INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS: NIH Grant - NIDCR (for cleft research); PSF grant (for craniofacial research); PRIVATE: Synthes - Ticker: n/a - Type: Payment for Speaking Engagement - Amount: $1,001-$5,000 - Relationship Ended: Yes;
Al Hassanein, MD, MMSc, FACS	AFFILIATIONS: PSRC – Parliamentarian, chair of mentorship committee, chair of bylaws committee; INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS: NIH K08, NIH R01, NIH R21, DoD, Dorris Duke/CTSI; Nothing to Disclose
Darrin Hubert, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: Pacira Biosciences, Inc. (for calendar year 2023) - Speakers Bureau Member, Mentor Worldwide LLC - Consultant;
Tara Huston, MD	AFFILIATIONS: Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons, Vice-President;
David Kahn, MD	AFFILIATIONS: ASPS – In-Service committee and legislative action committee, ASAPS – CME committee, Stanford University – CE review committee and surgical services review committee,
Amber Leis, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: Axogen - Speakers Bureau Member, Checkpoint - Advisory Committee Member;
Alexander Lin, MD	AFFILIATIONS: University of California San Francisco (UCSF) – Professor and Director of Surgical Innovations, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS) -- Board of Trustees (as Historian), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) – Vice Chair of Craniomaxillofacial Subcommittee, ASPS In-Service Exam Committee, Plastic Surgery Foundation (PSF) Clinical Study Section – Immediate Past Chair;
Michele Manahan, MD	AFFILIATIONS: AMA, ABPS, AAPS, ACAPS, ASRM, The Aesthetic Society, MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society, PRS, ACS; INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS: Research grants exist for our department. I do not directly receive grant funding;
Suhair Maqusi, MD	AFFILIATIONS: Member of the In Service Writing Committee for the ASPS;
Cindy McCord, MD	AFFILIATIONS: ASPS Committees, ASAPS Committees;
Suhail Mithani, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: Integra - Consultant, Restor3d - Consultant, Tissium - Consultant; AFFILIATIONS: AAHS, ASSH; INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS: Research Funding: Baxter and KCi;
Arash Momeni, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: AxoGen - Consultant, Sientra - Consultant, RTI - Consultant; AFFILIATIONS: Annals of Plastic Surgery (Associate Editor); Annals of Surgical Oncology (Editorial Board); Microsurgery (Editorial Board); European Journal of Plastic Surgery (Editorial Board);
Lauren Nigro, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: RTI - Other;
Gregory Pearson, MD	AFFILIATIONS: ASMS – Education committee, Visiting professor committee; ACAPS – Medical student outreach committee, ASPS – In-Service Exam committee, section editor for FACE journal; PUBLIC: Amgen - Ticker: AMGN - Type: Stock Options, Other - Amount: $10,001-$50,000 - Relationship Ended: No; Gilead Sciences - Ticker: GILD - Type: Stock Options, Other - Amount: $10,001-$50,000 - Relationship Ended: No;
Gary Rogers, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: The Plagiocephaly Solution, LLC - Officer;
Farooq Shahzad, MD	AFFILIATIONS: ASPS – In-Service Examination Committee: vice chair of “Comprehensive” sub-committee; ASPS Curriculum Development Subcommittee: vice chair of “Trunk” sub-committee; ASPS Continuous Medical Education Committee; ASPS Annual Meeting Program and Instructional Course Committee; American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Surgery Program Committee
Sachin Shridharani, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: Allergan – Consultant, Galderma – Consultant, Sientra – Consultant, Prollenium – Consultant, Hugel – Consultant, Revance – Consultant, Apyx Medical – Consultant, Raziel – Consultant; AFFILIATIONS: Allergan, Evolus, Galderma, Prollenium, Sientra, Hugel, Revance, Apyx Medical, Raziel, Soliton, ASPS, ASAPS, ACS, NYSSPS, NYRSPS, ASJ, PUBLIC: Revance - Ticker: RVNC - Type: Consulting Fees - Amount: $10,001-$50,000 - Relationship Ended: No; Allergan - Ticker: AGN - Type: Consulting Fees - Amount: $500,001-$1,000,000 - Relationship Ended: No, Sientra - Ticker: SIEN - Type: Consulting Fees - Amount: $50,001-$100,000 - Relationship Ended: No, Apyx Medical - Ticker: APYX - Type: Consulting Fees - Amount: $50,001-$100,000 - Relationship Ended: No; PRIVATE: Raziel - Ticker: N/A - Type: Consulting Fees - Amount: $500,001-$1,000,000 - Relationship Ended: No, Galderma - Ticker: N/A - Type: Consulting Fees - Amount: $500,001-$1,000,000 - Relationship Ended: No, Prollenium - Ticker: N/A - Type: Consulting Fees - Amount: $500,001-$1,000,000 - Relationship Ended: No, Hugel - Ticker: N/A - Type: Consulting Fees - Amount: $200,001-$500,000 - Relationship Ended: No;
Indranil Sinha, MD	AFFILIATIONS: InPrint Bio LLC – Co-founder and equity.; PRIVATE: InPrint Bio - Ticker: N/A - Type: Stock Options - Amount: $0-$1,000 - Relationship Ended: No;
Simon Talbot, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: Neuraptive – Consultant, Tissium – Consultant, Six Therapeutics – Consultant; AFFILIATIONS: Secretary Massachusetts Society of Plastic Surgery; Treasurer American Society for Reconstructive Transplantation; PRIVATE: Neuraptive – Consultant, Tissium – Consultant, Six Therapeutics – Consultant;
Peter Taub, MD	AFFILIATIONS: ASPS Board VP, NYRSPS Board member, NESPS Board member, ACEPS Board member;
Sarvam TerKonda, MD	AFFILIATIONS: Board of Directors, Federation of State Medical Boards;
Cindy Wu, MD	OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS: Allergan - Consultant, Brijjit - Consultant; PRIVATE: Brijjit – Consultant;
June Wu, MD	INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS: R01 (NHLBI) 2022-2026, DOD (2019-2022)-no cost extension to 7/31/23, DOD (2024-2028)--Recommended for funding; awaiting official notice of award;

With the exception of those indicated above, the Chairs, Authors, Reviewers, Committee Members, Volunteers, and Staff involved with developing and producing the 2025 In-Service Exam have indicated that they have no conflicts of interest relating to the activity to disclose.

CME Committee/Staff: ASPS CME Committee reviewers/Education staff members have no relevant financial relationships or affiliations to disclose.

The management, discussion and recommended answers for this test represent the combined opinions of the authors and reviewers. They are not endorsed by nor do they constitute a standard of practice of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Prepared in cooperation with National Board of Medical Examiners.

2025 CSAT Self-Assessment Study Guide

Multiple Credits

(8)

Plastic Surgery of the Upper Extremity

No Credit

(1)

Superomedial Pedicle Breast Reduction Part 2 - Patient Markings | Surgery Spotlight

No Credit

Fundamentals of Surgery

No Credit

(1)

Plastic Surgery of the Breast

No Credit