title: A review of general cosmetic surgery training in fellowship programs offered by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought, first, to evaluate the operative experience of surgeons who have completed postresidency fellowships offered by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), and second, to compare this cosmetic surgery training to other surgical residency and fellowship programs in the United States. Finally, we suggest how new and existing oral and maxillofacial surgeons can use these programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the completed case logs from AACS-accredited fellowships. The logs were data mined for 7 of the most common cosmetic operations, including the median total number of operations. We then compared the cosmetic case requirements from the different residencies and fellowships.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-nine case logs were reviewed from the 1-year general cosmetic surgery fellowships offered by the AACS from 2007 to 2012. The fellows completed a median of 687 total procedures. The median number of the most common cosmetic procedures performed was 14 rhinoplasties, 31 blepharoplasties, 21 facelifts, 24 abdominoplasties, 28 breast mastopexies, 103 breast augmentations, and 189 liposuctions. The data obtained were compared with the minimum cosmetic surgical requirements in residency and fellowship programs. The minimum residency requirements were as follows: no minimum listed for plastic surgery, 35 for otolaryngology, 20 for oral and maxillofacial surgery, 28 for ophthalmology, 0 for obstetrics and gynecology, and 20 for dermatology. The minimum fellowship requirements were as follows: 300 for the AACS cosmetic surgery fellowship, no minimum listed for facial plastic surgery and reconstruction, no minimum listed for aesthetic surgery, 133 for oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery, and 0 for Mohs dermatology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dedicating one's practice exclusively to cosmetic surgery requires additional postresidency training owing to the breadth of the field. The AACS created comprehensive fellowship programs to fill an essential part in the continuum of cosmetic surgeons' education, training, and experience. This builds on the foundation of their primary board residency program. The AACS fellowships are a valuable option for additional training for qualified surgeons seeking proficiency and competency in cosmetic surgery.
authors: Division of Cosmetic Surgery, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA. Electronic address: ehandler81@gmail.com.
authors: Ethan
authors: E
authors: Handler
authors: Attending Surgeon, Athenix Body Sculpting Institute, Fresno, CA.
authors: Javad
authors: J
authors: Tavassoli
authors: Attending Surgeon, Athenix Body Sculpting Institute, Bellevue, WA.
authors: Hardeep
authors: H
authors: Dhaliwal
authors: Fellow Physician, Inland Cosmetic Surgery, Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Murray
authors: Attending Surgeon, Inland Cosmetic Surgery, Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Haiavy
mesh_terms: D061645:Abdominoplasty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019882:Blepharoplasty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013513:Obstetric Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000193:education*; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States