Norihiko Kawate
Papers
8
Total Citations
119
H-Index
7
About
Norihiko Kawate is a pioneering thoracic surgeon whose research has significantly advanced the adoption and optimization of robotic surgery in Japan. His work centers on robot-assisted thoracic surgery, particularly the application of the da Vinci Surgical System to mediastinal tumors and pulmonary procedures, as well as the economic dimensions of emerging surgical technologies within Japan's national healthcare framework. Kawate's early contributions established the foundational protocols for deploying robotic systems in anterior, middle, and posterior mediastinal tumor resections, demonstrating their feasibility and safety at a time when fewer than 13 Japanese hospitals had access to the da Vinci platform. His 2012 paper on extended indications for posterior mediastinal tumors, garnering 32 citations, remains his most influential work. He further shaped the field by developing animal-model training programs for robotic pneumonectomy and lymph node dissection, addressing a critical gap in Japanese surgical education. Beyond clinical technique, Kawate tackled the pressing question of cost-effectiveness, producing comparative analyses of robotic versus video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery under Japan's national insurance system — work that has directly informed policy discussions around reimbursement reform. His cumulative contributions have helped legitimize and systematize robotic thoracic surgery across Japan.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Extended indications for robotic surgery for posterior mediastinal tumors32 citations · 2012
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- 8Maximizing Use of Robot-Arm No. 3 in Da Vinci–Assisted Thoracic Surgery2 citations · 2015