Three Decades of History and Perspectives of Khon Kaen University's Plastic Surgery.

Plastic surgery consists of two major fields: reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery with its roots lie in the reconstruction aspect. In Thailand, the plastic surgery procedures, performed during the initial period, included cleft lip and cleft palate repairs and skin graftings: In 1987, the Plastic Surgery Unit was established in the Department of Surgery, Srinagarind Hospital in Khon Kaen, which is the city in the Center of the northeast Thailand. In 1991, the partnership training of resident in plastic surgery with Siriraj Hospital was established and continued until the present time. All fields of plastic surgery were managed and educated in the Plastic Surgery Unit. Since the first batch of plastic surgery training program in 2009, the unit has many advanced in interdisciplinary management, the management of cleft center burn center postgraduate training program, research, community services, and national, regional and international coloration. The future perspectives involve educationfor 21st century skills, integration of teaching, research and community services, and a focus on evidence-based medicine and benchmarked outcomes are the future perspectives.