Papers
47
Total Citations
1,271
H-Index
21
About
Inderpal S. Sarkaria is a prominent thoracic and upper gastrointestinal surgeon whose research has fundamentally shaped the adoption and refinement of robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery for thoracic oncology. Based at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Sarkaria has concentrated his career on optimizing surgical approaches to lung and esophageal cancer, with a particular focus on robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) and robotic lobectomy. His most influential contributions include pioneering early institutional experience with RAMIE using a four-arm robotic platform (94 citations) and systematically documenting the learning curve and safety benchmarks required to achieve proficiency in this technically demanding procedure (75 citations). His landmark PORTaL Study (119 citations) provided critical comparative data across open, thoracoscopic, and robotic lobectomy approaches, influencing surgical decision-making globally. He has also advanced intraoperative technology by integrating near-infrared fluorescence imaging into robotic esophagectomy and gastrectomy to enhance vascular identification and lymph node harvesting. Beyond single-institution work, Sarkaria has contributed to international multicenter studies through the Upper GI International Robotic Association (73 citations), amplifying the global relevance of his findings. Collectively, his publications have accumulated over 700 citations, cementing his reputation as a leading innovator in minimally invasive thoracic and foregut surgery.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Pulmonary Open, Robotic, and Thoracoscopic Lobectomy (PORTaL) Study119 citations · 2021
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- 10Robotic-Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy51 citations · 2014