Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Plastic surgery is part of the ENT surgeon repertoire

Mike Armstrong, MD
Physician
February 16, 2012
Share
Tweet
Share

Do ear surgeons perform facelifts? Absolutely!

And we perform nose surgery and throat surgery, too!

A recent article in the New York Times presented a scathing editorial on complications caused by poorly trained surgeons.  However, the implication of the title “Ear surgeons performing facelifts,” is misleading and overlooks the fact that a large portion of training in the specialty of ear, nose and throat surgery includes plastic and reconstructive surgery of the face, head and neck.

Otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat specialists) are regional experts in the anatomy of the face and neck. After four years of college, four years of medical school, selection into one of the most competitive specialties in the U.S., and then another 5-6 years of surgical training, otolaryngologists are fully trained and qualified to perform cosmetic surgery above the shoulders.

The American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ABOto)  is one of the oldest certifying agencies in the U.S., and one of 24 members of the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS). Twenty five percent of the examination is devoted to facial plastic surgery. Other topics include surgery of the ears, nose, throat and neck, except for the spine. This broad training in the basic anatomy and physiology of this area makes otolaryngologists as much experts in facial plastic surgery as are general plastic surgeons, who devote a good portion of their training to cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of breasts, hands and other body areas.

ENT surgeons with additional training and experience in facial plastic surgery may be additionally certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS). Like many well-respected specialty societies, the ABFPRS is not one of the original 24 ABMS societies.  However, the two-day written and oral examination is as strenuous as the examination of any of the ABMS member boards. The ABFPRS as been recognized as equivalent to the ABMS societies in every state where use of the term “board certified” has been challenged.  The ABFPRS requires a minimum of two years experience after residency and a detailed peer review of over 100 facial plastic surgery cases before allowing candidates to take the examination.

In general, there are numerous specialties performing “plastic surgery.” Pediatric urologists correct botched circumcisions and reconstruct abnormal genitalia. Gynecologists lift sagging uteruses and tighten leaking bladders. Orthopedic surgeons perform delicate hand reconstruction. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform complex reconstructions of the facial skeleton. And yes, ear, nose and throat surgeons perform facelifts, eyelid surgery, and nose jobs.

Undoubtedly, there are surgeons reaching beyond their training and expertise. For an ENT physician to perform a tummy tuck, as mentioned in the New York Times article, is unconventional. The prudent consumer should consider not only board certification, but also training and experience when choosing a cosmetic surgeon. Ask for recommendations from friends and physicians. Ask your physician about his or her current experience with the procedure.  If you’re not comfortable, get a second opinion.

Mike Armstrong is an otolaryngologist at Richmond Facial Plastics.

Submit a guest post and be heard on social media’s leading physician voice.

Prev

Why we need truth in labeling of medical conditions

February 16, 2012 Kevin 20
…
Next

A physician shares her anxiety management tips

February 16, 2012 Kevin 2
…

Tagged as: Specialist, Surgery

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Why we need truth in labeling of medical conditions
Next Post >
A physician shares her anxiety management tips

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Mike Armstrong, MD

  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Hearing loss affects more people than you think

    Mike Armstrong, MD

More in Physician

  • Harassment and overreach are driving physicians to quit

    Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD
  • Why starting with why can transform your medical practice

    Neil Baum, MD
  • Life’s detours may be blessings in disguise

    Osmund Agbo, MD
  • Inside the heart of internal medicine: Why we stay

    Ryan Nadelson, MD
  • The quiet grief behind hospital walls

    Aaron Grubner, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    How to advance workforce development through research mentorship and evidence-based management

    Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Who gets to be well in America: Immigrant health is on the line

      Joshua Vasquez, MD | Policy
    • Why specialist pain clinics and addiction treatment services require strong primary care

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Conditions
    • When a medical office sublease turns into a legal nightmare

      Ralph Messo, DO | Physician
    • Addressing menstrual health inequities in adolescents

      Callia Georgoulis | Conditions
    • Harassment and overreach are driving physicians to quit

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • How early meetings and after-hours events penalize physician-mothers

      Samira Jeimy, MD, PhD and Menaka Pai, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Forced voicemail and diagnosis codes are endangering patient access to medications

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Meds
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The One Big Beautiful Bill and the fragile heart of rural health care

      Holland Haynie, MD | Policy
    • Who gets to be well in America: Immigrant health is on the line

      Joshua Vasquez, MD | Policy
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
  • Recent Posts

    • Harassment and overreach are driving physicians to quit

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • Why regular exercise is the best prescription for lifelong health

      George F. Smith, MD | Conditions
    • When the weight won’t budge: the hidden physiology of grief, stress, and set point

      Sarah White, APRN | Conditions
    • Why starting with why can transform your medical practice

      Neil Baum, MD | Physician
    • Why your most heroic act might be in a department meeting [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Life’s detours may be blessings in disguise

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 5 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Who gets to be well in America: Immigrant health is on the line

      Joshua Vasquez, MD | Policy
    • Why specialist pain clinics and addiction treatment services require strong primary care

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Conditions
    • When a medical office sublease turns into a legal nightmare

      Ralph Messo, DO | Physician
    • Addressing menstrual health inequities in adolescents

      Callia Georgoulis | Conditions
    • Harassment and overreach are driving physicians to quit

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • How early meetings and after-hours events penalize physician-mothers

      Samira Jeimy, MD, PhD and Menaka Pai, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Forced voicemail and diagnosis codes are endangering patient access to medications

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Meds
    • How President Biden’s cognitive health shapes political and legal trust

      Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD | Conditions
    • Why are medical students turning away from primary care? [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • The One Big Beautiful Bill and the fragile heart of rural health care

      Holland Haynie, MD | Policy
    • Who gets to be well in America: Immigrant health is on the line

      Joshua Vasquez, MD | Policy
    • Here’s what providers really need in a modern EHR

      Laura Kohlhagen, MD, MBA | Tech
  • Recent Posts

    • Harassment and overreach are driving physicians to quit

      Olumuyiwa Bamgbade, MD | Physician
    • Why regular exercise is the best prescription for lifelong health

      George F. Smith, MD | Conditions
    • When the weight won’t budge: the hidden physiology of grief, stress, and set point

      Sarah White, APRN | Conditions
    • Why starting with why can transform your medical practice

      Neil Baum, MD | Physician
    • Why your most heroic act might be in a department meeting [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Life’s detours may be blessings in disguise

      Osmund Agbo, MD | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Plastic surgery is part of the ENT surgeon repertoire
5 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...