Helen Marshall
Papers
4
Total Citations
1,764
H-Index
4
About
Helen Marshall is a leading surgical researcher whose work has fundamentally shaped the evidence base for minimally invasive rectal cancer surgery. Her primary research focus lies in the rigorous evaluation of robotic-assisted versus conventional laparoscopic techniques, with a specific emphasis on surgical outcomes, learning curves, and cost-effectiveness. Marshall’s landmark 2017 study, published in JAMA, is her most influential work, amassing over 1,341 citations and demonstrating that robotic-assisted surgery did not significantly reduce the risk of conversion to open laparotomy compared to standard laparoscopy. This pivotal finding challenged prevailing assumptions and provided crucial, high-level evidence for surgical decision-making. As the lead investigator of the international, multicentre ROLARR trial—first reported in 2011 and later detailed in a comprehensive 2019 RCT—she established the definitive framework for comparing these technologies. Beyond her core trial, Marshall has made critical contributions to surgical methodology, notably in exploring and adjusting for potential learning effects in randomised controlled trials, ensuring that comparisons between established and novel techniques remain unbiased. Her work has not only guided clinical practice but also set a new standard for the design and interpretation of surgical RCTs.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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