ABPS Plastic Surgery Within the Head and Neck study plan
ABPS Plastic Surgery Within the Head and Neck · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Head and Neck Anatomy and Wound Healing & Facial Trauma and Reconstruction
Map the vascular territories and named pedicles of the face and scalp from memory, then verify against an anatomy atlas
Explain the phases of wound healing and the factors that impair healing in irradiated or diabetic head and neck tissue
Describe the biomechanics and classification of facial fracture patterns (Le Fort, zygomaticomaxillary complex, orbital, mandibular)
Outline the sequence of ATLS-style primary and secondary survey priorities in facial trauma
Your checkpoint
One-page hand-drawn facial vascular territory map with labeled pedicles and a 10-item self-quiz on wound healing failures
Facial Trauma and Reconstruction & Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery
Compare reconstructive options for mandibular and midface defects by defect size and composition (bone, soft tissue, composite)
List the indications, pedicle, and flap design for the fibula, scapula, and radial forearm free flaps
Sequence the operative steps of open reduction and internal fixation for a mandible angle fracture
Identify which facial fracture patterns warrant urgent versus elective operative intervention
Your checkpoint
Defect-to-flap decision table covering at least 8 head and neck defect scenarios with rationale for each choice
Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery & Cutaneous Malignancies and Soft Tissue Lesions of the Head and Neck
Stage head and neck cancers using TNM principles for oral cavity, oropharynx, and larynx
Differentiate the margins and workup appropriate for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma of the head and neck
Describe sentinel lymph node biopsy indications and technique for cutaneous melanoma
Explain the role and extent of neck dissection levels relative to primary tumor site
Your checkpoint
Written case vignette set (5 cases) with staging and management plan for each, self-graded against reference criteria
Craniofacial Surgery and Congenital Anomalies & Cleft Lip and Palate and Craniofacial Syndromes
Classify craniosynostosis by suture involvement and describe the timing rationale for surgical release
Diagram the embryologic development of the palate and the timing of fusion events
Differentiate the Veau classification of cleft palate and the anatomic basis of each type
Outline the staged timeline of cleft lip and palate repair from infancy through alveolar bone grafting
Your checkpoint
Timeline diagram of cleft and craniofacial surgical milestones from birth to skeletal maturity with annotated rationale
Aesthetic Surgery of the Face and Neck & Facial Nerve and Cranial Nerve Disorders
Describe the layered anatomy of the face relevant to rhytidectomy and the danger zones for nerve injury
Map the course of the facial nerve branches and predict the functional deficit from injury at each segment
Compare techniques for facial reanimation by patient factors and duration of paralysis
Explain the aesthetic analysis of the aging neck and the indications for platysmaplasty versus skin excision alone
Your checkpoint
Facial nerve branch map with a table matching injury level to expected deficit and reanimation options
Facial Nerve and Cranial Nerve Disorders & Cutaneous Malignancies and Soft Tissue Lesions of the Head and Neck
Outline the evaluation and grading of facial nerve palsy, including electrodiagnostic testing timing
Describe management of benign soft tissue lesions of the head and neck by histology and location
Explain eyelid and periorbital reconstruction principles after tumor excision by defect layer
Identify red flags distinguishing benign from malignant skin lesions requiring biopsy
Your checkpoint
Two-column comparison sheet of benign versus malignant head and neck soft tissue lesions with biopsy triggers
Patient Safety, Anesthesia, and Perioperative Management & Ethics and Professionalism
List perioperative safety practices specific to head and neck surgery, including airway assessment and fire risk in the operative field
Describe anesthetic considerations for the shared airway in facial procedures
Apply informed consent and shared decision-making principles to aesthetic and reconstructive cases
Analyze ethical conflicts around patient expectations, advertising, and scope of practice
Your checkpoint
Written responses to 4 ethics and safety vignettes with cited reasoning principles for each
Head and Neck Anatomy and Wound Healing & Facial Trauma and Reconstruction & Craniofacial Surgery and Congenital Anomalies & Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery & Aesthetic Surgery of the Face and Neck & Cutaneous Malignancies and Soft Tissue Lesions of the Head and Neck & Facial Nerve and Cranial Nerve Disorders & Cleft Lip and Palate and Craniofacial Syndromes & Patient Safety, Anesthesia, and Perioperative Management & Ethics and Professionalism
Synthesize all domains through timed mixed-topic practice and error analysis
Re-teach your three weakest domains using your own notes without reference material
Rehearse high-yield anatomic and reconstructive facts under time pressure
Consolidate a personal high-yield summary sheet for final review
Your checkpoint
Completed 100-question mixed practice set with a written error log categorizing each miss by domain and cause
Milestones
Week 2: Can select an appropriate free flap for 8 different head and neck defects without notes and justify each choice in one sentence
Week 4: Can draw the cleft lip and palate repair timeline and classify craniosynostosis patterns from memory
Week 6: Can map facial nerve branches and predict deficits from injury at each segment with no reference
Week 8: Error log shows no domain with more than 20 percent missed items on the mixed practice set