Pavan Rao

About

Dr. Pavan Rao is a pioneering surgical oncologist whose work is reshaping the landscape of complex pancreatic surgery through the integration of advanced robotics and translational immunology. His primary research focuses on optimizing surgical techniques for pancreatic cancer, particularly through the development and refinement of robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD) and robotic distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection (DP-CAR). Dr. Rao’s landmark 2020 study, cited 31 times, demonstrated that formal robotic training significantly flattens the daunting learning curve for RPD, providing a critical roadmap for new programs aiming to achieve optimal outcomes in complex robotic surgery. He has further advanced surgical education by developing a perfused cadaver model for realistic training in managing intra-operative bleeding. Beyond the operating room, Dr. Rao’s 2024 work on neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) reveals a novel, cancer-promoting mechanism triggered by pancreatectomy, opening new avenues for perioperative therapies. His contributions are not only technical; they bridge the gap between surgical innovation and biological understanding, making him a leading voice in the fight against pancreatic cancer.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Formal robotic training diminishes the learning curve for robotic pancreatoduodenectomy: Implications for new programs in complex robotic surgery

   31 citations · 2020
2. 2
   Pancreatectomy Induces Cancer-Promoting Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

   5 citations · 2024
3. 3
   Use of a Perfused Cadaver for Training of Robotic Pancreaticoduodenectomy Allows for Realistic Tissue Dissection and Management of Intra-Operative Bleeding

   4 citations · 2024
4. 4
   Robot Assisted Distal Pancreatectomy with Celiac Axis Resection (DP-CAR) for Pancreatic Cancer: Surgical Planning and Technique

   2 citations · 2021

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links