Papers
21
Total Citations
331
H-Index
9
About
James D. Luketich is a pioneering thoracic surgeon whose career has fundamentally shaped the field of minimally invasive esophageal surgery. Based at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Luketich has been instrumental in developing, refining, and disseminating robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) as a safer, oncologically sound alternative to traditional open surgery. His early foundational work on minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, combined with UPMC's landmark initial RAMIE experience published in 2017, helped establish the technical blueprint that centers worldwide now follow. Luketich's influence extends well beyond a single institution — his leadership within the Upper GI International Robotic Association (UGIRA) has produced multicenter registry studies generating globally generalizable outcomes data, with key publications accumulating over 70 citations. His research also prioritizes patient-centered outcomes, examining quality of life and patient-reported outcomes following esophagectomy, reflecting a holistic approach to surgical care. Additional contributions span laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair and robotic lobectomy for lung cancer. Collectively, his body of work has garnered hundreds of citations, cementing his reputation as one of the most influential figures in minimally invasive upper gastrointestinal and thoracic surgery.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 5Technique of robotic assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE)21 citations · 2017
- 6Technique of Minimally Invasive Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy20 citations · 2009
- 7Open, Minimally Invasive, and Robotic Approaches for Esophagectomy13 citations · 2020
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- 9Laparoscopic repair of giant paraesophageal hernia10 citations · 2021
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