Hiroharu Yamashita
The University of Tokyo, University of Tokyo Hospital, Nihon University
Papers
6
Total Citations
170
H-Index
5
About
Dr. Hiroharu Yamashita is a pioneering surgeon whose work is reshaping the landscape of esophageal cancer treatment. His primary research focus is the development and validation of minimally invasive surgical techniques, specifically robot-assisted transmediastinal esophagectomy (RATME). Dr. Yamashita’s major contribution is championing a nontransthoracic approach that avoids opening the chest cavity, aiming to drastically reduce the severe pulmonary complications and mortality associated with traditional transthoracic surgery. His landmark 2015 paper, with 81 citations, established the short-term safety and feasibility of this robotic method. He has since built a compelling body of evidence, including prospective studies and long-term quality-of-life analyses (with papers cited 39 and 30 times), demonstrating that RATME offers superior recovery and preserved respiratory function without compromising oncologic outcomes. His most recent work (2025) provides encouraging survival data for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Beyond esophageal surgery, Dr. Yamashita also contributes to national guidelines on gastrectomy. With a career dedicated to proving that less invasive surgery can be safer and equally effective, he is a leading voice in the global shift toward robotic, function-preserving cancer surgery.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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