Facial plastic surgery in an otolaryngology training program

The medical complications and unsatisfactory results of facial plastic surgery performed by residents under close supervision are compared with those of the staff who train them and the literature. In 502 rhinoplasty, rhytidectomy, browlift, blepharoplasty, otoplasty, dermabrasion, and chemical peel procedures, there were no significant differences between the resident and staff operations except that residents required more time to perform the procedure. Operations which might be combined at one sitting should be staged during a resident's early experience with cosmetic surgery.