Krishnakumar Thankappan

Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Dr. Krishnakumar Thankappan is a pioneering head and neck surgeon whose work centers on minimally invasive robotic surgery, particularly in thyroid and oropharyngeal oncology. His major contributions include advancing the adoption of robotic retroauricular thyroidectomy beyond its South Korean origins, with his 2017 paper detailing the first Indian experiences and establishing a new paradigm for scarless, precise thyroid surgery. He further demonstrated the transformative potential of robot-assisted surgery in avoiding morbid mandibulotomy for base-of-tongue adenoid cystic carcinoma, preserving function while achieving oncologic clearance. His systematic review on economic evaluations comparing transoral robotic surgery to radiotherapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma provides critical cost-effectiveness data, guiding treatment decisions in resource-limited settings. With over 7 citations for his seminal thyroidectomy work and growing recognition for his oropharyngeal studies, Thankappan’s research has directly shaped surgical practice in India and beyond. His work is notable for bridging technological innovation with practical, patient-centered outcomes, making him a key figure in the global expansion of robotic head and neck surgery.