Raffy L. Karamanoukian

University of California San Diego, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, University of California, Irvine

Papers

Total Citations

181

H-Index

About

Raffy L. Karamanoukian is a pioneering surgical researcher whose work sits at the intersection of robotic technology, minimally invasive surgery, and surgical education. Best known for his early and influential contributions to the field of robotic-assisted surgery, Karamanoukian helped shape how the medical community understands and implements robotic platforms in both clinical and training contexts. His landmark 2002 survey on resident training in robotic surgery — now cited 72 times — was among the first systematic assessments of how General Surgery programs were preparing the next generation of surgeons for emerging technologies, filling a critical gap in the literature. Building on this foundation, his subsequent work explored the practical frontiers of robotic capability, including a 44-citation study demonstrating that traditional microsurgical experience can meaningfully accelerate mastery of robotic microsurgery — a concept known as transfer of training. His team further established the feasibility of robotic-assisted microvascular anastomoses in plastic surgery, opening new possibilities for reconstructive procedures. Taken together, Karamanoukian's research has not only advanced surgical technique but also informed how institutions design curricula to responsibly integrate robotic systems into modern surgical training.