Background The type of content that influences plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) residency program selection and attracts applicants is everchanging and not clearly understood. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on residency selection that is undetermined. Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine to what degree and the type of PRS SM content that drives prospective applicants’ interest of a residency program, especially in the context of COVID-19. Methods Prospective PRS residency applicants were surveyed anonymously. Results An average of 60% of respondents reported that PRS social media (SM) content influenced their perception of a program. Fifty-eight percent reported that resident lifestyle content made them gain interest in a program. Separately, 32% reported that resident lifestyle content influenced them to rank a program higher. Seventy-two percent of respondents claimed SM content did not make them lose interest in a program. Rarely posting, outdated content, and lack of engagement were cited as factors for loss of interest in a program. A majority of respondents (53%) reported wanting to see more resident life and culture content on SM. Of the existing PRS SM content, respondents were most interested in resident lifestyle, followed by clinical and program-specific content. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic amplified the importance of SM PRS residency selection. Resident lifestyle content was consistently indicated as more likely to make respondents gain interest in a program, rank a program higher, and as the most desired content. PRS programs will benefit from highlighting resident camaraderie, quality of life, hobbies, and lifestyle to attract applicants.

Background: Socioeconomic disparities remain prevalent among those who undergo breast reconstruction. At our institution, patients must meet certain criteria to become eligible for breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of socioeconomic factors on breast reconstruction eligibility, enrollment, choice, and completion at our large safety-net institution. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent partial or total mastectomy at a large safety-net hospital from 2016 to 2019 was completed. Surgical and demographic data were compared across varying socioeconomic factors. Results: A total of 645 patients were included in the study. More patients of a racial minority had government-based insurance than White patients (89% versus 81%; P = 0.01). Those with government-based insurance had higher average hemoglobin A1c values (6.26 versus 6.0; P = 0.03), proportion of American Society of Anesthesiologists scores greater than III (46% versus 40%; P = 0.01), and smokers (23% versus 9%; P = 0.02) than those with private insurance. Diabetic patients, patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists greater than III, and active smokers were significantly less likely to receive a plastic surgery consult. Patients with government-based insurance underwent immediate tissue expander placement at mastectomy at rates lower than those with private insurance (57% versus 69%; P = 0.01). Conclusions: Barriers remain for socioeconomically disadvantaged patients to be eligible for, undergo, and complete breast reconstruction. Obesity, diabetes, smoking, and poor overall health were identified as the main barriers and were associated with racial minorities, government-based insurance, and lower incomes. Concerted effort through multidisciplinary teams is needed to maximize eligibility of socioeconomically disadvantaged breast cancer patients for reconstruction.

CONCLUSION:This clinical trial supports the use of RPNI surgery to treat and prevent postamputation pain. Prophylactic RPNI surgery has significant effects in improving postamputation pain. RPNI surgery also showed improved anxiety and pain in patients with existing postamputation pain.

Poster Presentationsin the pre-module survey, unlike pediatric/ craniofacial (avg: 68%), reconstruction/ microsurgery (avg: 64%), and hand/ upper extremity (avg: 30%). Students of all classes exhibited significant improvement in all testing categories except for breast, with the most improvement noted in the hand category. Students with an interest in surgery (59%) achieved higher post-module general surgical knowledge scores (p=0.01). Prior exposure to plastic surgery (57%) correlated with higher pre-module hand (p=0.003) and breast/cosmetic (p=0.01) scores Conclusion:Disparities exist in medical student understanding of the scope of plastic surgery. The plastic surgery learning module (PSLM) is a promising tool to teach plastic surgery to students without access to plastic surgery education, with the highest impact amongst first and second year medical students in the topics of hand, reconstruction, and pediatric plastic surgery. 1.