Papers
22
Total Citations
673
H-Index
11
About
Rana M. Higgins is a surgeon-researcher whose work sits at the intersection of minimally invasive surgery, robotic platforms, and surgical education. Her research has fundamentally shaped how the medical community evaluates robotic versus laparoscopic approaches across multiple procedure types, including inguinal hernia repair and bariatric surgery. Most notably, Higgins led the landmark RIVAL trial — the first multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing robotic to laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair — a study that has already accumulated 197 citations and filled a critical evidence gap in a field that had rapidly adopted robotic technology without rigorous comparative data. Her 2016 cost analysis of robotic versus laparoscopic general surgery procedures (166 citations) remains a foundational reference for health systems weighing platform investments. Beyond outcomes research, Higgins has made significant contributions to surgical training, developing and validating robotic surgery curricula at both the resident and medical student levels, while also examining program-wide educational gaps across residency programs. Her more recent work exploring surgeon ergonomics and opioid reduction further demonstrates the breadth of her patient-centered focus. Collectively, her portfolio positions her as a leading voice in evidence-based robotic surgery adoption and education.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Robotic Inguinal vs Transabdominal Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair197 citations · 2020
- 2Cost analysis of robotic versus laparoscopic general surgery procedures166 citations · 2016
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- 5Robotic General Surgery Resident Training Curriculum: A Pilot Experience23 citations · 2021
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- 8Bariatric Surgeon Ergonomics: A Comparison of Laparoscopy and Robotics20 citations · 2023
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