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Dennis Kao

Dennis Kao, MD

Plastic Surgery

Need help scheduling? Call (216) 444-8542

Highlights

Age Groups Seen

  • Adult

Languages

  • Taiwanese
  • English

Gender

Male

About Dennis Kao

Title

Section Head of Hand Surgery

Biography

Dennis Kao, MD, is a hand surgeon and peripheral nerve surgeon at Cleveland Clinic. He received his medical training from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He then completed plastic surgery residency and hand surgery fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Following his interested in microsurgery and peripheral nerve surgery, he completed an additional fellowship at Chang Gung Hospital in Taiwan. 

Dr. Kao’s special interests include reconstructive hand surgery, peripheral nerve and brachial plexus injuries, and treatment of neuroma pain. 

He is board-certified in plastic surgery, with certificate-added qualification in hand surgery. His main clinical interests include endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery, peripheral nerve transfer, brachial plexus reconstruction, thoracic outlet syndrome, and surgical management of neuroma.

Locations

  1. Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
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  2. Solon Family Health Center
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  3. Fairview Hospital
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  4. A Building - Crile Building
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Education & Board Certifications

Education

  • Fellowship: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 2011
  • Fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin, 2010
  • Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin, 2009
  • Medical Education: THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH, 2003
  • Undergraduate: University of Washington, 1998

Board Certifications

  • Hand Surgery: American Board of Plastic Surgery, 2014
  • Plastic Surgery: American Board of Plastic Surgery, 2012

Professional Memberships

American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH); American Society of Peripheral Nerve (ASPN); American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM); American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

Research & Publications

See publications for this provider. (Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists collaborate with industry to advance medical breakthroughs. These partnerships help commercialize discoveries for public benefit while maintaining scientific integrity. To ensure transparency and minimize potential bias, Cleveland Clinic reviews these relationships and publicly discloses when physicians/scientists receive significant compensation for consulting, serve in fiduciary roles, receive royalties, or hold equity interests related to their work. We manage potential conflicts through approval processes, annual reporting, and targeted management plans.

As of 2026-03-20, Dr. Kao has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing.

In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Insurances Accepted

Review a list of accepted insurance plans for our Northeast Ohio locations or learn more about purchasing a contracted managed care plan.

Video

Ratings & Reviews

4.8 out of 5

228 ratings, 45 reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Explains
Courtesy Respect & Concern
Patient Rating of Doctor
Search reviews
    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/31/2026

    I would recommend Doctor Kao and his nursing staff to anyone who would need his medical services

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/20/2026

    Great expert, the doctor sounded to what was going on with my injured wrist!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/12/2026

    The doctor was excellent.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/6/2026

    Dr Kao is a wonderful Dr who takes time to explain and go over everything

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/6/2026

    Dr. Kao is the best and has great bedside manner.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/3/2026

    Dr Kao was excellent and really listened. He explains everything to you.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/10/2026

    Wonderful Dr.!! He Listened to all my concerns and was very respectful

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/10/2026

    I was very impressed by Dr. Kao. He was extremely knowledgeable and thorough. I will choose him again.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/10/2026

    I drive an hour from work to see Dr.Kao! He is kind, informative and always on time! He has helped my hands for over a year now and I will go wherever I need to in order to see him!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/28/2026

    I was very impress with my Dr Kao services. I will recommend other to Dr Kao

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/26/2025

    Dr Kao quickly diagnosed & explained trigger finger in my right thumb. He explained the injury in detail, the surgical option as well as cortisone treatment. He further explained that the latter may or may not help & how often I could take it. I chose to take the cortisone & He provided the shot that day in his office. My thumb is much better. Dr Is did my carpal tunnel surgery last year. He is an amazing doctor & so kind!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/26/2025

    Dr Kao has excellent bedside manners and very knowledgeable about his profession.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/26/2025

    Dr Kao is a very compassionate and skilled surgeon who cares and listens to your concerns and always willing to help. So lucky to find him. Takes time with you and fully explains procedures and answers all your questions. Excellent Dr. Cant thank him enough for trying to help me!!!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/26/2025

    Dr. Kao and his team are amazing! I have several issues going on at once. He is able to explain and treat all my issues. His concern and bedside manner are top-notch. Wonderful Dr.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/16/2025

    My experience with Dr. Kao and his start was very good

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/16/2025

    Dr. Kao was very helpful

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/8/2025

    Dr Kao is great

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/8/2025

    Very happy with the doctor and his team. He is very respectful and kind when he is with you.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/20/2025

    Dr Kao is very professional, very caring, respectful, it is my second surgery with him and I am very happy with the results.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/4/2025

    I feel very confident about Doctor Kao doing my surgery on November 7th .

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/4/2025

    Doctor Kao was very good he explained everything to me even when I asked a ?

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/13/2025

    Dr Kao and his staff were competent and caring. I would use him again and recommend him to others.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/13/2025

    Specifically for this visit; varies provider by provider.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/13/2025

    Dr Kao is a fabulous physician. Very caring. Very detail explainiation of procedure. Really listens. Excellent skills highly recommend!!!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/7/2025

    Like I said the doctor was very easy to talk to I'm very helpful concerned

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/20/2025

    Dr Kao is wonderful

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/19/2025

    After reaching out to Dr. Kao for carpal tunnel surgery inquiry, his office quickly setup an appointment to meet and discuss the procedure.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/12/2025

    Dr. Kao was very good.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/12/2025

    This was my first visit with Dr. Kao he is a wonderful Dr.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/12/2025

    Dr Kao is a terrrific doctor in every way.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/4/2025

    Absolutely an amazing doctor. I would highly recommend Dr. Kao.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/4/2025

    Dr. Kao was excellent. He explained everything very well, so I understood all of my options. He was very personable and friendly, and I thought he had a great disposition. I would absolutely see him again if needed, and I would recommend him strongly to anyone else. It was a pleasure meeting him.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/4/2025

    I was referred to Dr. Kao because of the potential complications involved in treating ganglionic wrist cysts. Dr. Kao was patient, had expert knowledge and explained clearly what the issues and options were and explained that the issue related primarily to tendon and arthritis issues rather than the cyst. I left fully understanding what I had to do and the circumstances that might require follow up. Outstanding communication.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/22/2025

    The opportunity to spend time with the doctor who actually performed my surgery when I'm alert and anxious for the next step of recovery.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/2/2025

    I was in so much pain. The good doctor took his time. Explain in detail what steps must be done. Thank you for great care.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/26/2025

    Poor follow up by providers.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/17/2025

    Dr. Kao is great. He cares for his patients and explains procedures.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/9/2025

    Dr Dennis Kao was professional and knowledgeable yet very gently empathetic since the issues concern my (artist) hands. He recommended appropriate follow up therapy and a test for nerve impingement. I believe he will help me to get the best possible outcome.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/9/2025

    I can't speak highly enough of care and treatment I have received from Dr.Kao and his staff.I was severely injured in an industrial/workplace.I consider myself lucky Dr.Kao took me as his patient.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/9/2025

    Dr.Kao is a wonderful physician.He always treats me with compassion and respect.He listens and answers my questions.I have never felt rushed.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/29/2025

    Dr. Kao is the best doctor I have ever had. He was calm and respectful. Dr Kao is a very talented doctor. He explained my situation to me in a way that I understood and helped treat my wound and prep me for recovery.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/22/2025

    Dr Kao was friendly and courteous . And professional. He was thorough in assessing my surgical problems .

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/19/2025

    Doctor was excellent

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/4/2025

    I would highly recommend Dr. Kao. He treated my broken hand and Dave an explanation for the lump on my hand. I had seen 4 doctors regarding the lump on my hand with no explanation but Dr Kao knew immediately what it was and gave me things to watch for and what the next steps would be.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/18/2025

    Dr Kao was awesome Listen to my concern about splinting my fracture discharge instructionsHe then applied a splint that has given me good results and making the use of my hand so much better