Surgery

MSIII Clerkship

Plastic and reconstructive surgery clerkship for 3rd year medical students

Welcome to the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery rotation! This two-week clerkship is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of evaluating and managing plastic surgery patients. As an integral member of the plastic surgery team, you'll gain hands-on experience and learn from seasoned professionals.

First day instructions

  • Reporting Time: Rounds begin at 0600. On your first day, report to the 6 West Round Room to pre-round with the assigned intern.
  • Contact Information: If you need assistance finding your way, use the virtual pager system (ext. 89006) or contact the paging operator at (310) 825-6301.

Goals of the two-week clerkship

The overall goal of this rotation is to familiarize you with the principles of plastic and reconstructive surgery, including patient evaluation, management, and surgical techniques. During this rotation, you will:

  • Participate in Morning Rounds and Patient Management: Learn how to assess and manage patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
  • Assist in Surgeries: Gain exposure to various plastic and reconstructive surgeries, both inpatient and outpatient.
  • Attend Clinics and Conferences:
    • Outpatient Clinic
    • Multidisciplinary Craniofacial Clinic
    • Revlon Breast Center
    • Plastic Surgery Didactic Conferences

Rotation requirements

To successfully complete the clerkship, you must:

  • Meet with the Clerkship Director: During the second week, meet with Dr. Charles Tseng to review your performance and receive constructive feedback.
  • Obtain Daily Sign-Outs: Before leaving the hospital each day, obtain a sign-out from the chief resident.
  • Participate in Weekend Rounds: Participate in rounds with the team on at least one weekend day during the rotation.
  • Participate in Overnight Call (Optional): While not required, you are encouraged to participate in any overnight call surgeries or procedures.
  • Attend Conferences: You are expected to regularly check the conference schedule and attend all lectures and conferences scheduled during your elective. Please note that the dress code for dinner conferences is business casual.
  • Complete Case Observation Requirements: 
    • Required Observations: Breast Reconstruction (Free Flap), Breast Reconstruction (Tissue Expander), Ear Reconstruction, Cleft Lip/Palate Repair, Rhytidectomy.
    • Optional Observations: Abdominoplasty, Mandibular Osteotomy, Nipple/Areolar Reconstruction, Le Fort Osteotomy
      • Note: you must select at least one optional observation. 

For more information about goals and requirements, view the Course Description. 

For a detailed schedule, view the MSIII Clerkship Schedule.

Evaluation criteria

Your performance during the rotation will be evaluated by a faculty member and the Plastic Surgery Chief Resident based on the following components:

  1. Patient Evaluation Skills:
    • Conduct comprehensive History and Physical (H&P) examinations, focusing on the specific problem and incorporating relevant medical concerns.
    • Develop concise oral presentation skills to effectively communicate patient cases to the team.
  2. Diagnostic Understanding:
    • Gain familiarity with diagnostic tools commonly used in plastic surgery, such as CT scans, MRIs, and biopsy/pathology evaluations. Understand their indications, limitations, risks, and alternatives.
  3. Surgical Knowledge:
    • Acquire knowledge of preoperative evaluations, basic surgical instrumentation, surgical risks, and postoperative care and follow-up for plastic and reconstructive surgeries.

Educational resources

Open book exam: An open book exam is provided as a study aid to guide your reading. It is not collected or graded. You are encouraged to discuss the questions with the intern and chief resident. Download the exam here.

Contact us

Contact information