Laura Helmkamp

Outcomes Research Consortium, University of Colorado Denver

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Laura Helmkamp is a surgical outcomes researcher whose work centers on improving patient quality of life after complex thoracic and esophageal procedures. Her most-cited study, “Outcomes After Converted Minimally Invasive to Open Esophagectomy in Patients With Esophageal Cancer” (2020, 10 citations), provides critical insights into the real-world consequences of intraoperative conversion, helping surgeons better counsel patients and refine operative planning. Helmkamp has also made significant contributions to the surgical management of diaphragmatic paralysis and eventration. Her 2023 study on “Long-Term Patient-Reported Symptom Improvement and Quality of Life after Transthoracic Diaphragm Plication” (7 citations) is notable for addressing a persistent gap in the literature—how patients actually feel years after surgery—using rigorous telephone-based surveys to capture meaningful, patient-centered outcomes. Complementing this, her comparison of robotic-assisted versus open transthoracic diaphragm plication (5 citations) offers early evidence that minimally invasive approaches may reduce morbidity without compromising efficacy. With a cumulative citation count of 22 across her most influential works, Helmkamp’s research is steadily shaping evidence-based practice in thoracic surgery, particularly by prioritizing long-term functional recovery and patient-reported outcomes over short-term metrics alone.