BACKGROUND: The number of citations of an article in scientific journals reflects its impact on a biomedical specialty and its recognition in the scientific community. In this study, we identified and analyzed the 100 most highly cited articles published between 1971 and 2011 in journals pertaining to plastic and reconstructive surgery research. METHODS: We selected 6 high-impact journals for literature search in the database of the Science Citation Index (1971 to 2011). We identified the 100 most frequently cited articles published in these journals, and analyzed them. RESULTS: The most cited article received 1007 citations and the least cited article received 165 citations, with a mean of 274 citations per article. These citation classics were published in 5 high-impact journals, led by Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (76 articles). The articles came from 17 countries, with the United States producing 57 articles. Sixty-two institutions produced these 100 top-cited articles, led by Royal Mountain Hospital, University of Melbourne (7 articles). Twenty-three authors published 2 or more of the top-cited articles, led by Taylor GI who authored 10 classic papers. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis of the top citation classics allows for the recognition of major advances and supplies a historic perspective on the progress of plastic and reconstructive surgery research.