Neonatal Surgery

This is a UK-based forum. We don't have residency here and the process of specialisation is likely to be different. As you don't seem to be UK-based you might be better off posting on a country-specific forum/subreddit, or just asking around at your med school.

I understand that Neonatal surgery is an ongoing field. Not very advanced yet, but I'm curious of how I could become one. I'm currently a medical student. I plan on doing general surgery for my residency (usually 5 years), I believe I should do a fellowship with paediatrics after (which is 2 years). I know it's a rocky road to fully guarantee a spot for neonatal surgery, but is it possible?
I like planning ahead and setting multiple options for myself, so this might seem like I'm planning way earlier than I'm suppose to, but I guess I just like being aware. Thank you also in advance for any help!

In the US I believe the process would somewhat mirror the UK in that after a general surgery residency you'd do a fellowship in paediatric surgery (not paediatrics) and then aim to specialise in neonates (perhaps through a further fellowhip)

In the UK, you would need to do core surgical training, then get into a paediatric surgery training post (extremely competitive) and then do further subspecialty training for neonatal surgery particularly. It's obviously possible, but it's likely to take a long time, and most people do not get into every stage of the programme at the first attempt.

Oh yes sorry by paediatrics I meant surgery, I should've clarified that. Alright well thank you for confirming!

Some general surgery residencies may offer more exposure to paediatric surgery earlier in the residency as well, so that may be something to consider while ranking programmes as well?

Some general surgery residencies may offer more exposure to paediatric surgery earlier in the residency as well, so that may be something to consider while ranking programmes as well?

I haven't thought of that, when the time comes I'd definitely look into each programme. I think after this thread I'm leaning more to the US. Although I feel like it'll be more competitive, but in regards to Medicine US is definitely up there. However, with the UK I feel like for me living there is a better option. I come from Germany and the UK is similar to it in terms of lifestyle. Once again thank you!

2 years: https://www.jcst.org/uk-trainees/core-surgical-training/

Before entering core surgical training (CST) UK medical graduates undertake a 2 year foundation programme though (I believe IMGs may be able to skip this entirely or only do F2 of the foundation programme) though. Note CST is competitive, and so it may take more than one year to apply to it successfully (if unsuccessful I gather it's common for doctors to spend a year in a trust grade post in a surgery ward or to locum in surgical wards?). However CST also has a maximum previous experience limitation which I think is 18 months of experience in surgical posts after the foundation program.

Also note that not all CST posts will include paediatric surgery rotations and you may well need at least one paediatric surgery rotation to apply competitively for paediatric higher specialty training (HST). Some CST posts are "themed" and designed to maximise exposure to a given specialty and related other specialties, which gives more exposure and may be a better foundation for applying to HST. Some themed posts may be more popular than others potentially, meaning you'd need to rank higher to get that preference post potentially.


If you're not a US citizen or green card holder and didn't graduate from a US medical school, the chances of getting a residency in any surgical specialty is slim to none effectively. Likewise any procedural medical specialty. This is for various reasons, including specific limitations in how visas are issued I gather. Generally it's very unlikely you will match into a surgical specialty as a non-US graduate without citizenship/green card. (There are specific international fellowships for people who have already completed their surgical training outside of the US who are aiming to just gain additional specialist training and exposure available in the US, but these would not normally allow you to work in the US directly after completing them)

For the UK, the NHS is somewhat more equitable for IMGs/foreign medical graduates, and doesn't have a resident labour market test for any doctor's roles or training programmes I understand. My understanding is you need to have your degree confirmed as equivalent by the GMC then pass something called PLAB and then you can apply in open (and equal) competition with UK graduates. I think it's often recommended to IMGs to do an initial year in a foundation level post (e.g. F2) just to familiarise themself with the NHS processes etc but I don't know if this is formally required.

I'm well aware about the PLAB exam, however my university allows you to go to the UK without undergoing any exams. We have so many graduates going to the UK all the time. As for the US, my sister in law recently has been matched there, she's pursuing psychiatry. She's not a US citizen or a green card holder. And my uncle is a neurosurgeon there, although he's completed his medical school somewhere else. He also wasn't a US citizen or a green card holder. So I'm not worried about me not getting accepted. There's obviously a chance of me not getting matched. It's why I'm also considering the UK. By nationality I'm French but decided to study in English so I've left my country. I'm keeping France, US, and the UK as my options. However, I'm leaning to the US the most. I'm also well aware that I'll have to give my USMLE exam, and already begun training and studying for it. For the UK because of my university's connection I was informed I do not need to sit a PLAB exam. I was just initially curious if applying for neonatal surgery (actually now that I've looked it up what I meant was fetal surgery all along so I apologise for the misinformation) was possible as it's still an ongoing field, and is only offered in limited countries. So far I've seen America take the lead on fetal surgery so it's my best option.