While it is nice to have a beautiful nose, the surgeon wants to maintain or even improve its normal functions of breathing and smelling. The surgeon also studies ear and throat surgery. Parts of this world are violent, and there is an incredible volume of smashed, cut and battered faces. The resident spends hundreds of hours repairing and reconstructing these victims. Throughout this period the resident also studies facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Some residents spend time carrying out research.
This is an important study, for it teaches scientific thinking and investigation. At the completion of this residency, the surgeon must first pass a comprehensive two day written and oral examination, before he or she is ready to practice. Some facial plastic surgeons also enter aspects of the field through similar training in other specialties, including ophthalmology, dermatology, and general plastic surgery. Some surgeons with special interest in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery then compete for one of the coveted facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowships. Pediatric head and neck surgery includes congenital birth defects, head and neck tumors of childhood, infection and pediatric facial trauma.