Akithma Hapugall

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Akithma Hapugall is a clinical researcher whose work critically examines the reliability of evidence in surgical innovation, with a primary focus on the comparative effectiveness of laparoscopic and robotic abdominopelvic surgeries. In their most-cited paper, "Fragility of statistically significant findings from randomized trials in comparing laparoscopic versus robotic abdominopelvic surgeries" (2023), Hapugall introduced a novel application of the Fragility Index to assess how robust statistically significant outcomes are in this high-stakes field. By demonstrating that many landmark trials hinge on just a handful of event reversals, Hapugall’s work challenges the perceived superiority of robotic approaches and underscores the need for more rigorous trial design. This contribution has quickly garnered attention, with 4 citations in its first year, signaling its growing influence among surgeons and methodologists. Hapugall’s research is particularly valuable for students and clinicians navigating the evidence base for minimally invasive surgery, as it provides a clear, quantitative tool for distinguishing genuine treatment effects from statistical artifacts. Their work stands as a cautionary yet constructive voice in the ongoing debate over surgical technology adoption.