Section of Plastic Surgery

About Us

Plastic Surgery began at Aga Khan University (AKU) in 1994. At that time, there were very few plastic surgery units nationwide. Since then, Plastic Surgery has worked under the umbrella of General Surgery. From its initial days, the plastic surgery team has been involved in cleft surgery, aesthetic surgery, and microsurgery, collaborating with other specialties like ENT.

Aga Khan University is committed to developing human capacities by discovering and disseminating knowledge and application through service. It seeks to prepare individuals for constructive and exemplary leadership roles and shape public and private policies through strength in research and excellence in education, all dedicated to providing meaningful contributions to society.

The plastic surgeon is an artist who contours and reconstructs the human body. Throughout the program, each resident's expertise develops progressively. The resident trains to become an academic surgeon with a sound orientation towards the community and research interests.

In the last few years, plastic surgery has rapidly expanded. Since 2014, it has been one of the fastest-growing fields at AKU. In 2015, after substantial efforts, an MOU was signed between Aga Khan University and Smile Train to provide free cleft lip and palate surgery to non-affording patients. Since then, more than 120 patients have received free treatment at AKU. In 2018, the plastic surgery team at AKU handled the highest number of microsurgery cases in the country. Our microsurgery work is currently considered cutting-edge.

We have also been developing cosmetic and aesthetic surgery, and in 2019, we started performing regular fat grafting; in 2020, hair transplant services were also introduced at AKU. With the passage of time and growing demand, today the department has four plastic surgeons (three full-time and one part-time). The volume of the plastic surgery faculty is overwhelming, and they need to establish their identity. The team is well-developed in terms of strength and services, and it is high time to form a separate Section of Plastic Surgery.

So far, six residents have graduated from the program. Of those, four are working as consultants in reputed hospitals in the country, including Shaukat Khanum. This specialty is growing fast at AKU, and this section would continue to involve clinical services, research, and education at AKU​.

Section Head of Plastic Surgery

 

Muhammad Fazlur Rahman, Clinical Associate Professor and Section Head, Plastic Surgery​​

Under-graduate study

The current Problem-Based Curriculum at AKU introduces students to Clinical Medicine early in the curriculum to promote contextual learning of Basic science. There are already three lectures scheduled for final-year students. These include burns, wound management, and soft tissue tumors. Plastic Surgery is also one of the most sought-after selective rotations among medical students. The instructional courses commenced through year III/IV, and finally, in year V. Students formally participate in the management strategies of patients with Plastic disorders. Instructional courses are currently offered by faculty from various disciplines. ​

Residency Program

The Plastic Surgery residency program at Aga Khan University started in 2003. After a hiatus the program was restarted in 2014, and two residents were initially taken onboard. Currently, there are five residents in the program Since then, it has been striving to achieve excellence and expertise through education, training, validation, and accreditation. The Plastic Surgery Residency Program is a competency-based structured program spread over six years. The program has been designed following the training requirements of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. There is a gradual supervised exposure to various aspects of patient care. Generally, in the initial two years, the residents are involved in learning the core principles of Surgery, including perioperative care. At senior levels, there is gradual exposure to daycare procedures, progressing to significant and complex surgeries. A total of five residency positions are available in the Plastic Surgery section. The number of residents inducted yearly depends on t​he available residency positions and the department's requirements.

Scholarship and Research

The surgery department deals with an extensive array of clinical problems that can form the basis of exciting research and publication. The Section on Plastic Surgery focuses explicitly on promoting research activities. Apply knowledge of study design and statistical methods to critically appraise clinical studies and other diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness information. Facilitate the learning of students, residents, and other health care professionals.

Clinical Care

This section has improved M&M and Audit meetings by using basic operative procedures in Plastic Surgery for common surgeries. It includes surgical diagnosis, preoperative assessment, surgical and artistic anatomy, surgical design, perioperative management, postoperative care of patients, postoperative pain management wound care, selection of patients for aesthetic Surgery, anesthetic option for procedures, adjunctive oncological therapy, biomechanics, and rehabilitation.​

​Research 

​​​Plastic Surgery Publications​