Residency Rotations

The Anesthesiology rotation is a four (4) week clinical experience recommended by the ACGME for plastic surgery training. The goal of the rotation is to expose the plastic surgery resident to the preoperative evaluation and the intra/post-operative management of the patient receiving anesthesia. Local, regional and general anesthetic approaches will be discussed. Pain management strategies are included.

Experience in the surgical and critical care management of burns is obtained during a rotation at the University of Arizona Burn Center, an ABA (American Burn Association) certified burn center. The center utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to provide the highest quality of care, and provides comprehensive treatment for all phases of burn injury care, including burn shock, would care, surgery, and rehabilitation and reconstruction. The resident participates in the care of burn patients from admission to discharge, including resuscitation, wound management, coverage, and perioperative stabilization of the patients with regard to sepsis, nutrition, and numerous other co-morbid diseases.

The Dermatology rotation is a four (4) week experience recommended by the ACGME for Plastic Surgery training. The goal of the rotation is to augment the plastic surgery residents’ knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the skin and adnexa. Acute and long-term follow-up is obtained by participating in office hours.

The Oculoplastic Surgery rotation is a four (4) week experience recommended by the ACGME for plastic surgery training. The goal of the rotation for residents to participate in the care of patients requiring oculoplastic surgery. The surgical management of ocular and periocular pathology will be emphasized. The anatomy and surgical approaches to the orbit are emphasized in relationship to craniofacial disorders and facial trauma.

The goal of this rotation is for the residents to become familiar with the overall management of common orthopedic disorders. This will allow the resident to develop knowledge and skills in evaluating patients with extremity trauma, spine procedure, joint replacement, orthopedic tumor management, application of external and internal rigid fixation for long bone fractures, assessment of radiographic fracture findings, and rehabilitation of the debilitated patient with extremity problems.

The Plastic Surgery Rotation is the inaugural experience on the plastic surgery service. It is intended to provide early contact with providers and assimilation of the basic fund of knowledge requisite to the practice of plastic surgery. Residents participate in the peri-operative and postoperative care of plastic surgery patients, participate in the outpatient clinic, and perform in hospital and emergency room consultations. Further participation involves operative care.

Hand surgery education is provided during all three years of plastic surgery training but accentuated in a dedicated rotation during the second year. The rotation combines outpatient clinic, emergency department, and operating room experience at the BUMC. 

The BUMC is a Level I trauma center and tertiary referral center for southern Arizona. There is a rich clinical volume provided across the entire spectrum of hand and upper extremity conditions, including congenital, acquired, and traumatic conditions. Skills in diagnosis, treatment options, technical execution, and postoperative care are developed under close mentorship by the faculty. There are ample didactic opportunities in hand surgery throughout the years of plastic surgery training. Teaching is conducted at bedside, clinic, and OR.

The goal of the rotation on otolaryngology is to allow the residents to develop knowledge and skills in airway management and endoscopy, the management of emergent airway situations, the assessment of the head and neck cancer patient and its extirpative and reconstructive interventions. Residents participate in the preoperative and intra/post-operative experience of the head and neck cancer patient.

The resident will be familiar with aesthetic diagnoses of the head and neck and understand the principles of surgical treatment of such problems. This experience will be in both the private practice and hospital setting over a two-year period. The resident will be familiar with aesthetic surgery of the trunk and breast and undertake comprehensive management of such diagnoses.

The PGY-8 Elective is an optional experience wherein the resident may elect to spend a focused amount of time in a particular area of plastic surgery. Options will depend upon the faculty composition and program expansion. At present, breast reconstruction, microsurgery, and pediatric/craniofacial surgery are options. The resident will meet with the Program Director to evolve their experience in compliance with RRC and ACGME guidelines. The elective will be completed during their final year and will be completed at the primary site, the University of Arizona-Tucson.

The resident will be familiar with aesthetic diagnoses of the head and neck and understand the principles of surgical treatment of such problems. This experience will be in both the private practice and hospital setting over a two-year period. The resident will be familiar with aesthetic surgery of the trunk and breast and undertake comprehensive management of such diagnoses.