Dr Kleintjes attained his MBChB from Stellenbosch University and received his Fellowship in Plastic Surgery through the College of Medicine of South Africa. He received his MMed in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stellenbosch University a year later. After this, Dr Kleintjes obtained his PhD in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stellenbosch University, which was the first PhD in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery obtained at a South African University. Presently, he is enrolled in a Master of Philosophy MPhil (Health Professions Education) at his alma mater.
Dr Kleintjes enrolled in a number of courses dealing with trauma, burn care, burn injuries and microsurgery. He has been invited as a Keynote speaker on several occasions at international and national congresses and participated in organisational activities.
As a peer reviewer and sole contributor in various academic journals, his research is extensive. His written work covers a broad range of plastic and reconstructive surgeries, including craniofacial abnormalities, flap surgery, augmentation and wound healing using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) growth factors, general wound care, and treatment of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) and burn wounds.
Avid Science recognises Dr Kleintjes for his publication on the life-saving skin culture technique. His research was awarded as one of the top 25 contributions to Surgery Research. He has received significant rewards in this regard, including the award for best publication at an APRSSA Conference.
Dr Kleintjes is affiliated with numerous academic organisations and associations such as:
- The Association of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons of Southern Africa (APRASSA), 2004-2020.
- The South African Medical Association (SAMA), 1996-present.
- The American Burn Association (ABA), 2005-2011.
- The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), 2004-present.
- The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA), 2003.
- The FGPC (Finance and General Purpose Committee) of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, 2015-2020.
- The Namibian Medical Association (NMA), 2010-2016.
- The South African Burn Society (SABS), Board member, 2013-2016.
- The Pan-African Burn Society (PABS), Board member, 2013-2016.
- The Provincial Clinical Governance Committee (PCGC)-appointed as an Ad-hoc member for burns, 2013-2019.
- The South African Burn Association (SABA)-appointed as President and co-founder of the association, 2017
- The Scientific Committee of the Surgical Research Society, 2018-2019.
- The Molnlycke Advisory Burns Committee-appointed Board member of the committee, 2014-2016.
- The Karlinsky Institute-Acted as an advisory member in telemedicine in burns research, 2014-2015.
Over the years, Dr Kleintjes has developed a fascination with burnwound care, and his research in this regard continues to grow steadily. He continues to promote the benefits of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as well as cell growth manipulation when recovering from a burn wound. In addition, his persistence and passion for his speciality led him to create a novel method of skin culturing that he actively pursues presently. Currently, cell culturing forms a significant portion of his research.
Dr Kleintjes is currently busy with a collaborative research protocol to grow tissues and organs. Recently, Dr Kleintjes has managed to grow fat. This has some implications for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in the future.