SUMMARY
The clinical research of Kyle S. Ettinger, M.D., D.D.S., focuses on surgical innovation and advancement of microvascular reconstruction techniques for head and neck oncological surgery. His work leverages virtual surgical planning, computer-aided design and modeling, and patient-specific 3D-printing technology. Dr. Ettinger's work enhances surgical accuracy, increases operative efficiency and improves patient outcomes.
Dr. Ettinger integrates CT angiography data into traditional virtual surgery planning workflows. These workflows have led to the development of new and different techniques for complex head and neck reconstruction with vascular structure co-registration. He also is the Mayo Clinic principal investigator of a multi-institutional phase 2 and 3 cooperative group clinical trial. This clinical trial evaluates sentinel lymph node biopsy versus elective neck dissection in early-stage oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.
Focus areas
- Surgical innovation in microvascular reconstruction. Dr. Ettinger's primary clinical research area is improving and developing new surgical techniques for head and neck oncological reconstruction. He uses virtual surgery planning, computer-aided design and modeling, and 3D-printing technologies with vascular co-registration.
- Augmented reality in surgery. Dr. Ettinger has clinical interest in the development of emerging augmented reality systems. These systems provide tangible benefits for intraoperative navigation and real-time visualization for oncological and reconstructive procedures.
- Individualizing and improving cancer care. Dr. Ettinger actively offers and studies the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy for management of early-stage oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. These studies may improve future cancer staging protocols and individualize cancer detection methodologies for patients.
- Perioperative fluid management. Dr. Ettinger studies optimization of perioperative fluid administration to improve clinical outcomes for patients undergoing various maxillofacial surgeries, including free tissue transfers.
- Outpatient procedural sedation. Dr. Ettinger evaluates the safety and efficacy of outpatient procedural sedation administered by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. This work contributes to improved sedation protocols and patient outcomes.
- Preoperative risk stratification. Dr. Ettinger validates multiple preoperative risk stratification tools to predict surgical complications in head and neck reconstruction, enhancing patient care and surgical planning.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Ettinger's clinical research helps patients by finding new and better ways to do surgery. His work in virtual surgery planning, computer-aided design and modeling, and 3D printing makes head and neck surgeries more exact. This more accurate surgery means fewer problems, faster recovery, and better cosmetic and functional results.
Dr. Ettinger also is at the forefront of surgical innovation to find new and different ways to perform surgery with innovative technology. One of these innovative technologies is augmented reality to be used in the next generation of surgical delivery. He makes sure patients get the best and most individualized surgical care possible by studying modern surgical techniques of cancer detection in lymph nodes. This individualized surgical care makes sure that patients have the best cancer-related outcomes with the least invasive surgery possible.
Professional highlights
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic:
- Practice chair, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2023-present.
- Member, Education Committee, 2020-present.
- Associate program director, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2019-present.
- Member, Research Executive Committee, 2019-present.
- Clinical competency chair, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2018-present.
- Member, Surgical Peer Review Research Committee, 2018-present.
- Research chair, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2018-present.
- Mayo Clinic Scholar, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2017.
- Member, National Committee, Head and Neck Cancer Core Committee, NRG Oncology, 2023-present.
- American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons:
- Board certification of added qualifications in head and neck oncological and reconstructive surgery, 2020-present.
- Board certification, 2019-present.
- Laskin Award Best Paper of 2021, Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation, 2021.
- Faculty Educator Development Award, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 2020.
- Best Paper Award, Section of Craniomaxillofacial Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons Annual Meeting, 2018.