SUMMARY
Michel Saint-Cyr, M.D., M.H.A., advances safety, outcomes and value in complex reconstructive surgery. He investigates Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols, frailty-based risk assessment and intraoperative safety frameworks to improve recovery and reduce complications in patients who are at high risk. Dr. Saint-Cyr's anatomical and imaging research enhances the understanding of perforator flap vascular anatomy. It also informs the development of safer techniques for microsurgical and complex reconstructions. His clinical research encompasses breast reconstruction, oncological reconstruction, lymphedema surgery and hand surgery.
In addition to having a medical degree and a master's degree in health administration, Dr. Saint-Cyr also holds a Master of Business Administration. He leverages his multidisciplinary expertise to collaborate with biomedical engineering teams to develop healthcare technologies and solutions. He also integrates clinical innovation with health system improvement to research surgical outcome measurements, care delivery models and value-based surgical care.
Focus areas
- Surgical quality, safety and intraoperative monitoring. Dr. Saint-Cyr investigates perioperative safety through frailty assessment, prehabilitation strategies, and the implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery and intraoperative safety protocols. He aims to reduce complications and improve outcomes in patients who are at high risk.
- Vascular anatomy of flaps. Dr. Saint-Cyr advances anatomical and imaging-based research to define perforator flaps, enabling safer, more effective reconstructive techniques based on a reliable vascular supply.
- Minimally invasive breast and complex reconstructive surgery. He develops innovative approaches for surgical and minimally invasive breast micro-reconstruction, emphasizing both functional recovery and aesthetic outcomes.
- Lymphatic surgery. Dr. Saint-Cyr advances clinical protocols for lymphatic surgery using super-microsurgical techniques. His work includes lymphaticovenous anastomosis, lymphatic channel transfers and vascularized lymph node transfers for the treatment and prevention of lymphedema and robotic single-port surgery.
- Health system optimization and surgical care delivery. Dr. Saint-Cyr studies surgical outcome reporting, perioperative care coordination, and systemwide strategies to improve access, efficiency and value in patient-centered reconstructive surgery.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Saint-Cyr's research makes surgery safer, helping patients heal faster and lowering the risk of complications after complex procedures. He uses safety checklists, recovery plans and risk scores to improve care for patients, especially those at higher risk. His work on blood vessels and tissue flaps has led to new surgical methods that work better and give results that look better. Dr. Saint-Cyr's research helps keep surgical care advanced, accessible and more personalized to patients.
Professional highlights
- Plastic Surgery Research Council:
- Member, 2011-present.
- Scientific Committee, 2011-2013.
- Bylaws Committee, 2016-2017.
- American Association of Plastic Surgeons:
- Member, 2010-present.
- Scientific Program Committee, 2023-2024.
- Scientific Program Awards Committee, 2023-2024.
- American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons:
- Member, 2008-present.
- Education Committee, 2018-2020.
- Mentoring Committee, 2018-2020.
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons:
- Chair, Cadaveric Sciences Committee, 2019-2021.
- Education Strategy Advisory Council, 2019-2020.
- Annual Meeting Council, 2018-2020.
- Member, 2010.
- Arris and Gale Lectureship, Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2018.
- Associate editor, Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery, 2012-2015.
- American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery:
- Junior member, 2010-2012.
- Godina Traveling Fellowship Awardee, 2013.
- Chair, Bylaws Committee, 2014.
- Fellowship Match Committee, 2012-2014.
- World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery:
- Member, 2013.
- Development Committee, 2013-2014.
- Associate editor, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2010-2013.
- Hunterian Lecture, Royal College of Surgeons, 2011.