Egyptian Board Plastic Surgery study plan

Map the vascular territories of the 12 most examinable flaps (ALT, fibula, radial forearm, latissimus, TRAM/DIEP, scapular, gracilis, rectus abdominis, pectoralis major, deltopectoral, supraclavicular, temporoparietal fascia) onto a self-drawn body diagram with named pedicles and perforators

Explain the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation, platelet plug, and fibrinolysis phases and predict which phase is impaired by warfarin, heparin, aspirin, and von Willebrand disease

Distinguish the three phases of wound healing with their dominant cell types and collagen types, and list four local and four systemic factors that delay healing

Compare skin graft take physiology (imbibition, inosculation, revascularization) with flap survival physiology, and state why a haematoma under a graft is more dangerous than under a flap

Classify flaps by blood supply (random, axial, perforator, pedicled, free) and by composition, and justify one flap choice for a given defect in two different body regions

Sequence the microsurgical anastomosis steps and explain the mechanical and physiological rationale for each step, including vessel preparation, adventitial stripping, suturing technique, and leak testing

Analyse the causes of free flap failure by timing (arterial vs venous, early vs late) and match each to the clinical signs and the correct first-line intervention

Describe the pharmacologic and mechanical options for thrombosis prophylaxis in microsurgery and state the evidence limitations of each

Explain the physiology of the no-reflow phenomenon, ischaemia-reperfusion injury, and the role of free radicals and leukocyte adhesion

Compare pedicled and free flap reconstruction for a head and neck defect and defend the choice using defect, patient, and resource factors

Describe the surgical anatomy of the face relevant to rhytidectomy, including the SMAS, platysma, facial nerve branches, and the danger zones, and mark them on a self-drawn diagram

Compare the main face-lift planes and techniques and state which patient and which complication profile each suits

Outline breast augmentation planning: implant plane, incision, sizing, pocket selection, and the key consent points including BIA-ALCL and anaplastic large-cell lymphoma risk discussion

Explain reduction mammaplasty pedicle options and the blood supply rationale for each, and predict which sensation or lactation risk changes with each

Apply the principles of scar management, suture selection, and tension-relieving closure to a planned elective facial incision

Describe the principles of liposuction and abdominoplasty including patient selection, anaesthetic options, and the main preventable complications

Classify burn depth by clinical signs and explain the histological basis of each depth category

Calculate fluid resuscitation using a recognized formula for a given adult and paediatric burn and identify the endpoints of resuscitation

Outline the criteria for burn centre referral and the initial management sequence for inhalation injury and circumferential burns

Explain the pathophysiology of burn shock, hypermetabolic response, and wound conversion, and link each to a management decision

Describe burn wound excision and grafting timing options and the rationale for early excision

Apply the four principles of biomedical ethics to two burn scenarios: resource allocation during a mass casualty and consent in an incompetent patient

Describe the blood supply and lymphatic drainage of the head and neck and predict nodal spread patterns for oral cavity, larynx, and cutaneous malignancy

Outline the levels of neck dissection and state which levels are addressed for each primary site and why

Compare reconstructive options for mandibular, maxillary, and pharyngeal defects and match each to a defect classification

Explain the timing and principles of cleft lip and palate repair and the anatomical rationale for each repair step

Describe the classification and management principles of craniosynostosis and the timing rationale for vault expansion

Outline the genetics and multidisciplinary management of common craniofacial syndromes

Map the intrinsic and extrinsic flexor and extensor tendon zones and predict the functional deficit of a laceration at each zone

Describe the anatomy and clinical tests for the median, ulnar, and radial nerves and localize a lesion from a described sensory and motor pattern

Explain the principles of tendon repair and rehabilitation and the rationale for early controlled mobilization

Outline the management of common hand fractures and dislocations and the indications for operative fixation

Describe the vascular anatomy of the hand and the principles of replantation including indications, contraindications, and ischaemia time limits

Explain the pathophysiology and staging of Dupuytren disease and the options for treatment with their recurrence profiles

Explain the biology of grafts and biomaterials used in plastic surgery and state the selection criteria for each material class

Describe the principles of tissue expansion, including fill volumes, timing, and complication prevention

Apply the principles of local anaesthesia including maximum safe doses, vasoconstrictor use, and toxicity recognition and management

Interpret the key statistical concepts tested in plastic surgery literature: sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, confidence intervals, p-values, and number needed to treat

Appraise a randomized controlled trial and a systematic review using a structured critical appraisal checklist

Explain the components of a quality improvement cycle and apply them to a surgical site infection reduction project

Consolidate and self-test the highest-yield facts across all ten domains using spaced repetition and flag any domain below 70% recall

Explain the professional and legal duties around informed consent, capacity, confidentiality, and disclosure of complications in surgical practice

Describe the principles of surgical safety including the WHO checklist, wrong-site surgery prevention, and team communication

Complete two timed mock examinations under exam conditions and analyse every error by domain and by error type (knowledge, misreading, reasoning)

Build a personal one-page summary sheet of the 30 facts most likely to be tested and most often forgotten