The Looming Future of Private Equity in Plastic Surgery.

Private equity acquisition of independent private practices has grown dramatically in the last decade, with private equity firms increasingly investing in surgical specialties that practice in outpatient ambulatory centers. This trend has slowly started to creep into plastic surgery; therefore, understanding the concepts of private equity ownership in healthcare and its benefits and risks is critical. This article provides a fundamental economic background on private equity, describes its current state in healthcare, including trends in plastic surgery, and provides recommendations for plastic surgeons considering private equity acquisition.