The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the largest plastic surgery specialty organization in the world. Founded in 1931, the society is composed of surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada who perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. With nearly 5,000 members, ASPS comprises 94% of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Plastic surgery is a general term for operative manual and instrumental treatment which is performed for functional or aesthetic reasons. ... 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link is to a full 1931 calendar). ... The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc. ... The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, (RCPSC) is a national, private, nonprofit organization established in 1929 by a special Act of Parliament to oversee the medical education of specialists in Canada. ... Cosmetic refers to beauty or appearance, especially concerning the human body. ... Reconstructive surgery is in its broadest sense the use of surgery to reconstruct damaged or malformed tissues or organs. ...

Besides certification, membership in ASPS requires a plastic surgeon to regularly attend continuing medical education courses and to adhere to a code of ethics. All ASPS members are required to perform surgery in accredited surgical facilities.

External Links

American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website

American Board of Plastic Surgery Website