Should I Take a Research Year? An Analysis of Trends in Plastic Surgery Match Outcomes (2022-2025)

Introduction: Plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) residencies remain among the most competitive specialties, with research increasingly serving as a key differentiator for applicants following the transition of Step 1 to a pass/fail grading system in 2022. This shift has prompted many applicants to pursue dedicated research years; however, the true benefit beyond increased publication productivity remains uncertain. This study analyzes publicly available data to characterize recent trends in the PRS match and to assess whether completing a research year meaningfully influences match outcomes. Methods: This study was exempt from institutional review board approval as it utilized publicly available data. A retrospective analysis was conducted using the online Plastics Match databases from 2022 to 2025. The database includes all applicants who successfully matched into integrated plastic surgery programs during each respective year. Applicants self-reported whether they completed a dedicated research year at their matched program (RM) or another institution (RO), completed a sub-internship at their matched program, or matched at their home institution. Data from all years were compiled to assess trends in research year participation and the frequency of sub-internships among matched applicants. Results: A total of 776 applicants were identified in the plastic surgery match database from 2022 to 2025, comprising 223 (28.7%) from 2025, 190 (24.5%) from 2024, 197 (25.4%) from 2023, and 166 (21.4%) from 2022. Across all applicants, 214 (27.6%) completed a research year, 344 (44.3%) completed a sub-internship at their matched program, and 168 (21.6%) matched at their home institution. Of those who completed research years, 163 (21.0%) did so at a different institution, while 51 (6.6%) completed it at their matched program. From 2022 to 2025, the proportion of applicants completing a research year increased from 27 (16.3%) to 76 (34.1%), indicating a strong upward trend (R2 = 0.762). In 2025, 101 applicants (45.3%) completed a sub-internship at their matched program and 43 (19.3%) matched at their home institution. Similar patterns were observed in 2024 (54.2% and 27.9%, respectively), 2023 (42.1% and 20.3%), and 2022 (34.3% and 19.3%). Conclusion: The proportion of integrated plastic surgery applicants completing research years has steadily increased from 2022 to 2025. Although a growing number of matched applicants have pursued dedicated research years, sub-internships have remained a consistent and influential factor associated with matching at a given program.