Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adult
Languages
- English
Gender
MaleAbout Michael Fritz
Title
Section Head, Facial Plastic and Microvascular Surgery
Biography
Michael Fritz, MD, FACS, is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology, Staff Memeber of the Cleveland Clinic Head and Neck Institute and Director of the Section of Facial Plastic and Microvascular Surgery. He earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health in Columbus, OH. He completed an Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery residency at the Cleveland Clinic and a fellowship in Facial Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN.
His specialty interests include complex facial reconstruction in children and adults, treatment of facial paralysis and cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty (surgery the external nose).
Dr. Fritz is board-certified by the State of Ohio Medical Board, the American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Fritz is a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and American Head and Neck Society and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
He has published a number of journal articles on topics such as management of advanced facial cancers, complex maxillary and orbit reconstruction and new techniques for treatment of facial paralysis.
He has also published book chapters on concepts and techniques in facial trauma reconstruction, lip reconstruction and facial reconstruction using microvascular free tissue transfer. In addition, he given a many presentations on the topics of facial reconstruction and management of facial paralysis.
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Locations
- Avon - Richard E. Jacobs Health Center
- 33100 Cleveland Clinic Boulevard, Avon, OH 44011
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- Independence Family Health Center
- 5001 Rockside Road, Independence, OH 44131
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- A Building - Crile Building
- 2049 East 100th Street, Cleveland, OH 44106
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Education & Board Certifications
Education
- Fellowship: University of Minnesota, 2004
- Residency: Cleveland Clinic, 2003
- Internship: Cleveland Clinic, 1998
- Medical Education: The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health, 1997
- Undergraduate: Duke University School of Medicine, 1992
Board Certifications
- Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2007
- Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 2007
- Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery: American Board of Otolaryngology, 2004
Awards
- Multiple media appearances for complex facial reconstructions: Cleveland Plain Dealer (www.cleveland.com/johanna) ABC 20/20 (November 11, 2009) Univision (January 23, 2010) WCPN
- Resident teacher of the year 2008-2009 and 2010-2011
Innovations & Patents
- Free fascia lata flaps for nasal lining in total and subtotal nasal defects - allows for faster and more effective reconstruction of large nasal defects from cancer or trauma.
- Orthodromic temporalis tendon transfer following radical parotidectomy (facial nerve sacrifice to clear parotid cancers) - for immediate correction of facial paralysis at the time of cancer treatment.
- Free fascia lata flaps for oral and tongue reconstruction - allows us to use the thigh preferentially for reconstructions thus minimizing donor site morbidity.
- Midface and orbit reconstruction with layered fibula osteocutaneous flaps (rebuilding faces with transferred and revascularized leg bone and skin) -This unique technique allows for total reconstruction of the floor of the eye, facial bones and palate at the time of cancer resection.
- Correction of Moebius syndrome (bilateral facial paralysis) with double orthodromic temporalis tendon transfer and fascia lata sling - this is a unique very effective outpatient technique to restore oral competence, facial motion and smile in patients with this condition.
- Combined multidisciplinary approach (derm surgery and facial plastic surgery) to optimize management of advanced facial skin cancers - unique collaboration between Dermatologic Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery allows us to treat advanced facial skin cancers using the best tumor clearance and reconstructive techniques in the same surgical setting.
- Buried free flaps to improve contour and function after radical parotid and neck surgery - Avoids contour deformities after tumor management with a lasting transfer of vascularized tissue which tolerates the effects of postoperative radiation if required.
- Free vascularized fascia flaps following staged neck dissection after chemoradiation therapy Allow for rapid coverage of critical vessels, nerves and muscle following neck dissection.
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. Fritz 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
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Ratings & Reviews
4.9 out of 5
151 ratings, 28 reviewsThe 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.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/6/2026
Great doctor great experience
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/6/2026
Dr Fritz is one of a kind, you need to expand what he offers and build more fellows around him. This service is needed by more people and I am sure they just dont know how to find him.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/6/2026
I would have liked my appointment a week earlier, but I understand that Dr Fritz was just returning from overseas travel so the time I got was satisfactory.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/5/2026
I had a pleasant, informative visit with Dr. Fritz.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/12/2026
This was the first time Dr. Fritz had a smile and laughed at my comments. He needs to be a little bit more sensitive and smile more. When he smiled and laughed I thought I have a good connection with him and he is getting personal.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/28/2026
Dr. Fritz is an excellent surgeon! Appreciate his care! Highly recommend him to anyone!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/28/2026
I would highly recommend Dr. Michael Fritz !! He is an exremely gifted and amazing surgeron. His team that assisted him in my surgery and care in hospital afterwords were very knowledgeable and caring. They checked in on me often while in the hospital. I look forward to my next visit in person !!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/28/2026
Dr Fritz took his time with me and answered all my questions and concerns. His intern was also extremely helpful and friendly
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/28/2026
Dr. Fritz is always a caring and dedicated professional.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/9/2026
Dr. Fritz has a very direct manner with patients. I appreciate his candor in responding to questions that I might have about my condition and alternative approaches to dealing with it.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/9/2026
We've had multiple visits to Cleveland Clinic. We've been very fortunate to have Dr. Fritz as our provider. Even though he is very busy he and his staff work with patients to try to accommodate their schedules.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/24/2025
Dr. Fritz is fantastic. I would highly recommend him to anyone. He has excellent beside manner, he listened my concerns and is very knowledgeable.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/2/2025
I will definitely recommend him to others if appropriate. He understood my situation very quickly and discussed his opinion with us which we totally agreed with. Still, a very impressive doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/3/2025
Very helpful and informative visit with Dr. Fritz, who took the time to answer all my questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/22/2025
If all providers were like Dr Fritz, the world would be the best place. I absolutely love the care he provides - his attention to detail, his patience to cover all questions, his wit which makes even the most impossible situation seem hopeful, his precision and love for the attainment of excellence, his explanations of next steps and the rationale behind it, his interest in others when you don't come alone (asking if they do have unanswered questions or concerns he could assist with). He is just a very well-rounded awesome physician.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/13/2025
Dr. Fritz is a special doctor. I am beyond lucky to be under his care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/7/2025
All care providers have been absolutely terrific. I would certainly recommend them anytime.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/19/2025
No complaints-Dr. Fritz very thoughtful in responding to our concerns, thorough in his explanations, with a bit of humor mixed in as appropriate as well.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/19/2025
Dr. Fritz was very prompt for our appointment with him. The office personnel were not as responsive. Once a connection was made, however, the office personnel were very responsive, polite and professional in our interactions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/1/2025
I can always count on Dr. Fritz to fix me up!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/28/2025
Dr Fritz is a wonderful caring doctor who listens and explains everything in English. I would highly recommend him to everyone. I have has a lot of doctor's and he is the best on of all of them.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/2/2025
Dr. Fritz and The Cleveland Clinic have given me great service and care. Would definitely recommend to others. Thanks for all the great service
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/2/2025
I travelled from Michigan for Dr Fritz and his remarkable expertise and I would follow him to the moon. No one in MI comes close to his expertise.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/26/2025
Dr. Fritz is truly an OUTSTANDING and EXEMPLARY reconstructive/plastic surgeon! In addition to his medical and surgical expertise, he is also a very personable individual.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/26/2025
Dr. Fritz is. Wonderful doctor! Very nice, great surgeon, just a Wonderful man!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/8/2025
Excellent experienceDr Fritz made me feel at ease from the minute we met. I felt safe under his care. He is an excellent physician.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/8/2025
I was very impressed with Dr. Fritz's handling of my medical needs. He addressed my concerns individually and completely; and even though choosing him as my surgeon means I will have to travel several hours to his location, I feel confident that he will complete this delicate procedure with care, skill and experience.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/4/2025
Dr. Fritz and his staff are wonderful. Highly recommend The Cleveland Clinic to anyone. Very pleased with service.