Influence of Research Years and Subinternships on the 2025 Integrated Plastic Surgery Match.

BACKGROUND: Integrated plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) applicants increasingly pursue dedicated research years and subinternships (sub-Is) to strengthen candidacy. Limited quantitative data exist on how these experiences influence match outcomes, and whether it facilitates matching at specific institutions versus serving as broader markers of competitiveness. This study assesses whether research years influenced matching at the applicant's home or sub-I institution to better inform applicant strategy. METHODS: Analysis of the 2025 integrated PRS match data was performed. Variables included presence of a home PRS program, completion of a research year, and sub-I participation. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. National Resident Matching Program data from 2020 to 2025 were analyzed to assess trends in competitiveness. RESULTS: Among matched applicants in 2025, 41.6% completed a research year and 54.7% completed a sub-I at their matched institution. Students without a home PRS program were more likely to complete a research year compared with those with a home program (60% versus 36.5%; OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.24-0.89; P = 0.021). However, in students with and without a home program, completion of a research year was not associated with matching at either the student's home institution (OR 1.45; 95% CI 0.71-2.96; P = 0.303) or sub-I institution (OR 1.30; 95% CI 0.73-2.30; P = 0.373). CONCLUSIONS: Institutional affiliation seems to shape applicant pathways in the integrated PRS match. Students without home programs more frequently pursued research years, although research year completion was not associated with institution-specific match outcomes.