L.H. DeGraaff

About

Dr. L.H. DeGraaff is a leading thoracic surgeon and researcher whose work centers on improving surgical outcomes for lung cancer patients, with a particular focus on the oncologic efficacy of minimally invasive techniques. Her most cited study, published in 2019, leverages the National Cancer Database to compare lymph node staging accuracy across open thoracotomy, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), and robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) for non-small-cell lung cancer. This landmark investigation, which has garnered 52 citations, directly addresses a critical debate in thoracic oncology: whether surgical approach influences nodal upstaging—a key prognostic factor. By demonstrating that RATS and open thoracotomy may offer superior nodal assessment compared to VATS, Dr. DeGraaff’s work has provided surgeons with evidence to guide operative decision-making and optimize long-term survival. Her contributions are pivotal in refining the balance between minimally invasive recovery and thorough cancer staging, making her a respected voice in the field of thoracic surgical oncology.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   The association of nodal upstaging with surgical approach and its impact on long-term survival after resection of non-small-cell lung cancer

   52 citations · 2019

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links