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Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir 2022; 54(04): 365-373
DOI: 10.1055/a-1894-7436
Original Artilce

ESPRAS Survey on Continuing Education in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery in Europe

ESPRAS Umfrage zur Weiterbildung in der Plastischen Rekonstruktiven und Ästhetischen Chirurgie in Europa
Nicholas Moellhoff
1   Division of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
,
Tine Arnez
2   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery and Burns, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia
,
Elias Athanasopoulos
3   Department of Plastic Surgery, General Military Training Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
,
Horacio Costa
4   Aveiro University Plastic Reconstructive Craniomaxillofacial Hand and Microsurgical Unit, Gaia Hospital Center, Portugal
,
Giorgio De Santis
5   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy
,
Stephane De Mortillet
5   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy
,
Cenk Demirdöver
6   Pôle santé Léonard de Vinci. Chambray les Tours, France
,
Giovanni di Benedetto
7   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
,
Boro Dzonov
7   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
,
Anna Elander
8   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
,
Emma Hansson
8   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
,
Mark Henley
9   Medical Faculty Skopje, University St Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, Uni. Clinic for plastic and reconstructive surgery, Vodnjanska bb, Skopje, N. Macedonia
,
Cristian Radu Jecan
10   Department of Plastic Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
,
Ilkka Kaartinen
11   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals, United Kingdom
,
Reuf Karabeg
12   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, “Prof Dr Agrippa Ionescu” Clinic Emergency Hospital, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania
,
Andrey Kharkov
13   Department of Plastic Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
,
Brian Kneafsey
14   Surgical Clinic “Karabeg”, Sarajevo
,
Smilja Tudzarova Gjorgova
15   Private Practice, Kiev, Ukraine
,
Drahomir Palencar
16   Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
,
Aurelio Portincasa
17   University Clinic for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Skopje, N. Macedonia
,
Georgios Psaras
18   Department of Plastic Surgery, Medical Faculty of Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia
,
Hinne Rakhorst
19   Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Foggia Medical School, University of Foggia , Italy
,
Maria Elena Ruiz Alonso
20   American Medical Centre, Cyprus
,
Michel Rouif
20   American Medical Centre, Cyprus
,
Jacques Saboye
21   Plastic and reconstructive surgery, ZGT, Hengelo, The Netherlands
,
Fabio Santanelli di Pompeo
22   Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, HM Torrelodones, Madrid, Spain
,
Stephan Spendel
23   Tours, Loire Valley, France
,
Nenad Stepic
24   Clinique Médipôle Garonne, 45, rue de Gironis, 31036 Toulouse, France
,
Olavi Vasar
25   Plastic Surgery Unit, Sant’Andrea Hospital, School of Medicine and Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
,
Rado Zic
27   Clinic for Plastic Surgery and Burns Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
,
Riccardo E. Giunta
1   Division of Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
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Abstract

Background Specialty training in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery is a prerequisite for safe and effective provision of care. The aim of this study was to assess and portray similarities and differences in the continuing education and specialization in plastic surgery in Europe.

Material and Methods A detailed questionnaire was designed and distributed utilizing an online survey administration software. Questions addressed core items regarding continuing education and specialization in plastic surgery in Europe. Participants were addressed directly via the European Leadership Forum (ELF) of the European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (ESPRAS). All participants had detailed knowledge of the organization and management of plastic surgical training in their respective country.

Results The survey was completed by 29 participants from 23 European countries. During specialization, plastic surgeons in Europe are trained in advanced tissue transfer and repair and aesthetic principles in all parts of the human body and within several subspecialties. Moreover, rotations in intensive as well as emergency care are compulsory in most European countries. Board certification is only provided for surgeons who have had multiple years of training regulated by a national board, who provide evidence of individually performed operative procedures in several anatomical regions and subspecialties, and who pass a final oral and/or written examination.

Conclusion Board certified plastic surgeons meet the highest degree of qualification, are trained in all parts of the body and in the management of complications. The standard of continuing education and qualification of European plastic surgeons is high, providing an excellent level of plastic surgical care throughout Europe.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund Die Facharzt-Weiterbildung für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie ist eine Grundvoraussetzung für sichere und effektive Patientenversorgung. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Darstellung von Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschieden in der Weiterbildung für Plastische Chirurgie innerhalb von Europa.

Materialien und Methoden Ein internetbasierter Fragebogen wurde mit Hilfe eines kostenlosen Formularerstellungstools erstellt und verteilt. Die Fragen betrafen Kernpunkte der Weiterbildung für Plastische Chirurgie in Europa. Die Teilnehmer wurden direkt über das European Leadership Forum (ELF) der European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (ESPRAS) kontaktiert. Alle Teilnehmer hatten weitreichende Kenntnisse über die Organisation und Struktur der plastisch-chirurgischen Weiterbildung in ihrem jeweiligen Land.

Ergebnisse 29 Teilnehmer*innen aus 23 europäischen Ländern nahmen an der Umfrage teil. Die Weiterbildung für Plastische Chirurgie beinhaltet grundlegende Prinzipien und Techniken zur Wiederherstellung von Form und Funktion innerhalb der verschiedenen Säulen der Plastischen Chirurgie, sowie in allen Körperregionen. In den meisten europäischen Ländern ist eine Rotation in der Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin und die Behandlung kritisch kranker Patienten obligatorisch. Voraussetzung für die Facharztbezeichnung ist die mehrjährige, national organisierte Weiterbildung, der Nachweis einer festgelegten Anzahl selbstständig durchgeführter Operationen, sowie die mündliche und/oder schriftliche Abschlussprüfung.

Schlussfolgerung Fachärzte für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie sind hochqualifiziert und auch im Umgang mit Komplikationen geschult. Der Standard der Weiterbildung der europäischen Plastischen Chirurgen ist hoch, so dass innerhalb Europas eine hohe Qualität plastisch-chirurgischer Versorgung gewährleistet ist.

Key words

ESPRAS - Training - Specialization - Reconstructive Surgery - Aesthetic Surgery - Europe

Schlüsselwörter

ESPRAS - Weiterbildung - Facharzt - Rekonstruktive Chirurgie - Ästhetische Chirurgie - Europa


Publication History

Received: 15 June 2022

Accepted: 21 June 2022

Article published online:
09 August 2022

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