John Migaly
Duke Medical Center, Duke University Hospital, Duke University
Papers
7
Total Citations
259
H-Index
6
About
John Migaly is a leading colorectal surgeon and researcher whose work has fundamentally shaped the modern surgical management of rectal cancer. His primary research focuses on comparing minimally invasive techniques—specifically robotic and laparoscopic approaches—against traditional open surgery. Through landmark studies analyzing large national databases, Migaly has demonstrated that while robotic low anterior resection offers comparable short-term outcomes and oncologic surrogates to laparoscopy, it often requires significantly longer operative times without clear perioperative benefits. His most cited paper (100 citations) established critical benchmarks for robotic rectal cancer surgery. Beyond technical comparisons, Migaly has made pivotal contributions to understanding healthcare disparities, showing that insurance status—not race—is the primary driver of access to minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer. His work analyzing over 104,000 patients also revealed that conversion from laparoscopic to open colectomy does not necessarily compromise oncologic outcomes. Additionally, Migaly has advanced surgical education through the development and validation of the Omni, a novel multimodal skills assessment tool. With over 250 cumulative citations, his research continues to guide evidence-based decision-making in colorectal surgery.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Robotic Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer100 citations · 2014
- 2Minimally Invasive Versus Open Low Anterior Resection55 citations · 2015
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- 7Proctectomy for Rectal Cancer2 citations · 2021