Staff surgery--the inevitable question.

The results of a survey of 450 plastic surgeons regarding the practice of operating on their staff members is presented. An overwhelming majority (85 percent) of responding surgeons do operate on their staff. Whether surgery is a "right" of employment or a "reward" for service was addressed. Seventy-two percent felt surgery was a "reward," while only 8 percent felt it was a "right." The results found complications to be relatively minor but numerous (23.5 percent). The need for an office policy is stressed to help eliminate misunderstandings with other employees, and a model office policy is presented and endorsed.