Dawn W. Blackhurst
Papers
4
Total Citations
37
H-Index
3
About
Dawn W. Blackhurst is a leading surgical outcomes researcher whose work centers on advancing minimally invasive techniques in abdominal wall reconstruction and general surgery. Her most impactful contribution is the ORREO prospective randomized controlled trial, which directly compared open versus robotic retromuscular ventral hernia repair—a landmark study that has already garnered 26 citations since its 2024 publication. This work provides crucial evidence on whether robotic approaches can combine the myofascial release benefits of open surgery with the lower wound morbidity of laparoscopy. Blackhurst has also shaped the field through comparative analyses of laparoscopic and robotic cholecystectomy across multiple hospitals, and she has introduced novel metrics like the rectus-to-defect ratio for assessing ventral hernia complexity in robotic cases. Her research extends to perioperative optimization, including studies on methocarbamol’s role in reducing opioid use after hernia repair. Through these contributions, Blackhurst is helping define best practices for the growing adoption of robotic surgery in general and hernia procedures, directly impacting clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4