A survey of volunteer reconstructive surgery performed outside of Canada by Canadian plastic surgeons

BACKGROUND: Members of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons have been offering humanitarian services to countries outside of Canada since the 1960s. OBJECTIVE: To document the extent of voluntary reconstructive services performed by members of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons. METHOD: A survey was sent to all members of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons asking them to list the extent of their voluntary services. RESULTS: Over 80 Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons members have performed voluntary reconstructive services with more than 40 organizations in over 60 countries. CONCLUSION: These voluntary services provide a significant benefit to patients around the world and are rewarding for the surgeons who perform them.