Plastic & reconstructive surgery

The Geisinger Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery offers a four-week elective rotation in plastic surgery. Our department provides care for patients of all ages with cosmetic and reconstructive needs. We perform a broad range of plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic procedures including breast surgery, body contouring after major weight loss, reconstructive surgery for trauma victims (flaps, grafts), cleft lip/palate, Moh's reconstruction, wound care and aesthetic surgery.

The rotating medical student will be integrated into our services by becoming active in the daily care of our patients. Medical students will be expected to assist with inpatient rounds, assisting in the operating room and seeing and evaluating outpatients in our clinic in Danville and occasionally State College. The student is expected to study about upcoming cases in the operating room and be prepared to answer questions by staff.

 Goals & objectives

The overall educational objective for the rotating student is learn about the basic principles of plastic and reconstructive surgery including suturing technique, wound healing and flaps/grafts. The main learning objectives of your rotation are:

• What is plastic surgery and when to refer to us
• Basic and advance principles of wound healing
• Principles of skin grafting and flaps
• Improve suturing technique and how to choose suture
• Aesthetic surgery and approach of care to this select patient population
• Improve your understanding and caring for patients with cleft lip/palate
• Understanding the dynamics of body contouring after major weight loss