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About

Arto Kokkola is a leading figure in pancreatic surgery, whose work has fundamentally shaped the debate on minimally invasive approaches for pancreatic cancer. His primary research focuses on the oncological safety and efficacy of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) compared to traditional open surgery. Kokkola’s major contribution is his leadership in the landmark DIPLOMA trial, the first international randomised non-inferiority trial to rigorously compare MIDP with open distal pancreatectomy for resectable pancreatic cancer. This pivotal study, published in 2023 and garnering over 120 citations, provided critical evidence on radical resection rates and short-term outcomes, directly addressing long-standing safety concerns. He also authored the trial’s protocol and contributed to large-scale pan-European registry studies analyzing the outcomes of robot-assisted and laparoscopic approaches. With recent work extending to long-term survival data from the DIPLOMA trial, Kokkola’s research is indispensable for surgeons and oncologists navigating the choice between open and minimally invasive techniques, ensuring that patient outcomes remain the central focus of surgical innovation.