The fellow receives a concentrated two-week course, at the beginning of his exposure, in the microsurgical laboratory and is encouraged to continue with various research projects throughout the entire year. Approximately three to four replants and microvascular transplants are performed each week. The Fellow and Resident are responsible for the complete preoperative work-up, operative and postoperative management of all patients.
Operative responsibilities increase with expertise and proficiency with microvascular techniques.
Acute trauma includes replantation of acral parts such as digits, upper and lower extremities, and an occasional scalp or ear. Elective cases include microvascular transplants of skin flaps, osteocutaneous flaps, myocutaneous flaps, muscles, bones, joints, digits and neurovascular island flaps to the extremities, head and neck and trunk. Nerve injuries and a wide variety of other hand and upper extremity cases including brachial plexus explorations are also performed. Weekly conferences and clinics are held.