Abstract
Background There has been no peer-reviewed published data analyzing the microsurgery match since
it was established. The aim of this study is to present and analyze match data to
inform residents and programs regarding outcomes.
Methods Anonymized data were requested from the San Francisco Match, which was plotted and
analyzed utilizing Pearson's Chi-square, unpaired t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results Match data was obtained from the years 2014 to 2018. The match rate decreased from
84.6% in 2015 to 67.3% in 2018, mean = 73.7 (8.29%), and (p = 0.01735). The position fill rate fluctuated from 82.9% in 2014 to 90.0% in 2016,
mean = 86.5 (3.0%). In 2014 and 2015, 66.7% of applicants matched their first or second
choice compared to 48.0% in 2018, mean = 58.7 (8.3%), (p =.04785). Matched applicants ranked mean = 6.6 (1.4%) programs versus 3.4 (1.3) for
unmatched, (p < 0.0001). Filled programs ranked a greater number of applicants per position, mean
= 8.5 (1.8%), compared to partially filled, mean = 4.6 (2.6%), and unfilled mean =
3.6 (3.4%), programs (p = 0.0014). In 2015, 55.0% of programs matched their first or second choice compared
to 30.4% of programs in 2018, mean = 43.0 (10.1%).
Conclusion The application process for microsurgery has become more competitive. Matched applicants
rank more programs than do unmatched. Fully filled programs rank more applicants per
position than do unfilled or partially filled. Applicants and programs are increasingly
less likely to match their top choices.
Keywords
microsurgery match - microsurgery fellowship - plastic surgery fellowship - San Fransisco
match
