Russel R. Kahmke, MD, FACS, MMCi
Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor, Head and Neck Surgeon, Surgical Oncologist, Microvascular Surgeon
My Locations
Part of the Duke Cancer Institute
Part of the Duke Cancer Institute
About Me
I focus on treating patients with head and neck cancer, thyroid and parathyroid disorders, and maxillofacial trauma. I also have interests in microvascular (free flap) reconstruction, transoral robotic surgery, salivary endoscopy and medical education. I was privileged to do my residency training here at Duke and look forward to bringing my energy, dedication and leadership to our group.
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Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences
- Head & Neck Surgical Oncology
- Associate Professor of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Head & Neck Surgical Oncology 2023
- Member of the Duke Cancer Institute, Duke Cancer Institute 2016
Call for an Appointment
Areas of Expertise
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Microvascular Reconstruction Surgery
- Sleep Apnea Surgery Eligibility and Evaluation
- Transoral Robotic Surgery
- Vascular and Congenital Anomalies
Ratings and Reviews
The ratings and reviews are based on patient responses to the overall provider rating question from the survey. The question reads: “Using any number from 0 to 10, where 0 is the worst provider possible and 10 is the best provider possible, what number would you use to rate this provider?” Responses are converted to a 5-point rating system and applied consistently to all providers. Learn more about our survey process. Patients who see some types of providers receive a different version of the patient satisfaction survey. Those results are not available on DukeHealth.org.
Training and Education
In the News
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Clinical Focus and Research
My research focuses on clinical outcomes of head and neck cancer patients and improving education for residents, medical students and non-physician providers.
- Devinney, Michael J., Andrew R. Spector, Mary C. Wright, Jake Thomas, Pallavi Avasarala, Eugene Moretti, Jennifer E. Dominguez, et al. “The Role of Sleep Apnea in Postoperative Neurocognitive Disorders Among Older Noncardiac Surgery Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.” Anesth Analg 140, no. 1 (January 1, 2025): 99–109. https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0000000000007269.
- Rowe, Dana G., Seeley Yoo, Connor Barrett, Emily Luo, Alissa Arango, Matthew Morris, Kerri-Anne Crowell, Russel R. Kahmke, C Rory Goodwin, and Melissa M. Erickson. “Novel Risk Factors for Postoperative Hematoma Requiring Reoperation Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.” Clin Spine Surg, November 4, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1097/BSD.0000000000001716.
- Duckett, Kelsey A., Mohamed Faisal Kassir, Shaun A. Nguyen, Emily A. Brennan, Bhisham S. Chera, Katherine R. Sterba, Chanita Hughes Halbert, et al. “Factors Associated with Head and Neck Cancer Postoperative Radiotherapy Delays: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 171, no. 5 (November 2024): 1265–82. https://doi.org/10.1002/ohn.835.
- Jacobs, C. D., M. J. Moravan, J. Choe, R. Kahmke, Y. Mowery, and J. K. Salama. “Oral cavity cancer: Diagnosis and treatment.” In Encyclopedia of Cancer, 131–68, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.65316-3.
- Jacobs, C. D., M. J. Moravan, J. Choe, R. Kahmke, Y. Mowery, and J. K. Salama. “Oral Cavity Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment.” In Encyclopedia of Cancer, Third Edition: Volumes 1-3, 3:V3:131-V3:168, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.65316-3.
- Low, Wong-Kein Christopher, Russel Kahmke, and Debara L. Tucci. “The Role of Oxidative Stress in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Meniere’s Disease.” In Oxidative Stress in Applied Basic Research and Clinical Practice, 443–54. Springer International Publishing, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13473-4_21.
- Jacobs, C. D., R. Kahmke, D. J. Rocke, I. Barak, S. H. Jung, G. Suneja, and Y. M. Mowery. “Nomogram to Predict Survival Benefit of Postoperative Radiotherapy for Major Salivary Gland Cancers.” In International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, 105:S183–S183. Elsevier BV, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2019.06.227.
- Partington, Erin J., Lindsay S. Moore, Russel Kahmke, Jason M. Warram, William Carroll, Eben L. Rosenthal, and Benjamin J. Greene. “Laser-Assisted Indocyanine Green Dye Angiography for Postoperative Fistulas After Salvage Laryngectomy.” In JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 143:775–81, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2017.0187.
Insurance Accepted
Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.
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Aetna
- Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
- Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
- Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice POS
- Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
- Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
- Aetna Open Choice PPO
- Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
- Aetna Select HMO
- Aetna Traditional Choice
- Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
- Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
- Aetna/CVS Health
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Ambetter
- Ambetter of North Carolina
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
- Blue Advantage
- Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
- Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
- Blue Select
- NC State Employees Health Plan
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
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Cigna
- Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
- Cigna Choice Plus
- Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
- Cigna Open Access
- Cigna Open Access Plus
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*Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
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Duke Group Plans
- Duke Basic
- Duke Select
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Experience Health
- Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
- Gateway Health Alliance
- Healthgram
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Humana
- Humana Choice (PPO)
- Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
- Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
- MedCost
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Medicare
- First Medicare Direct
- Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part B
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NC Medicaid
- AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
- Carolina Complete Health
- Healthy Blue
- NC Medicaid Direct
- WellCare of North Carolina
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TRICARE
- TRICARE Prime
- TRICARE Prime Remote
- TRICARE Select
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United Healthcare
- AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
- AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
- AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
- All Savers Alternate Funding
- All Savers Fully Insured
- United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)**
- United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
- United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
- United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
- United Healthcare Option PPO
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
- United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
- United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
- United Medical Resources (UMR)
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.
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**Duke Health does not participate in UHC plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.
External Relationships
- Avivomed
- Inspire Medical Systems