Koji Otsuka
Papers
2
Total Citations
28
H-Index
2
About
Koji Otsuka is a pioneering surgeon-researcher at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into minimally invasive esophageal surgery. His work centers on enhancing surgical precision and patient safety, with a particular focus on the critical challenge of identifying and preserving the recurrent laryngeal nerve during robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE). Otsuka’s major contributions include developing and validating AI models that can recognize this delicate nerve in real time, a breakthrough that promises to reduce the risk of vocal cord paralysis—a common and debilitating complication. His 2024 study, which has already garnered 23 citations, demonstrated the clinical usefulness of this AI approach, while his 2025 follow-up refined the timing of nerve recognition during surgery, earning an additional 5 citations. Though early in their citation trajectory, these works represent a significant leap toward safer, more reproducible robotic surgeries. Otsuka’s research bridges computer vision and surgical oncology, offering a tangible example of how AI can augment a surgeon’s capabilities. His ongoing work is poised to influence training protocols and operative standards in thoracic surgery worldwide.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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