Sylvia van der Horst
University Medical Center Utrecht, University Hospital Heidelberg, Utrecht University, Heidelberg University
Papers
25
Total Citations
1,752
H-Index
16
About
Sylvia van der Horst is a prominent surgical oncologist whose research has fundamentally shaped the field of esophageal cancer surgery, with a particular focus on robot-assisted minimally invasive thoracolaparoscopic esophagectomy (RAMIE). Her most celebrated contribution is the landmark ROBOT trial, a randomized controlled trial comparing RAMIE to conventional open transthoracic esophagectomy, which has accumulated over 640 citations and provided rigorous evidence that robotic approaches significantly reduce perioperative complications. Through a sustained body of work spanning protocol development, long-term oncologic outcomes, and systematic review, van der Horst has comprehensively demonstrated that RAMIE achieves comparable — and in many respects superior — results to open surgery, including adequate lymphadenectomy and radical resection rates. Her 2018 study analyzing the learning curve across 312 cases further advanced the practical implementation of robotic esophagectomy in clinical settings. Notably, her long-term follow-up data confirmed durable oncologic equivalence, cementing RAMIE's legitimacy as a gold-standard alternative. With cumulative citations exceeding 1,600 across her top publications, van der Horst's work has had a transformative global impact on surgical technique, training, and patient outcomes in esophageal cancer care.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 8Surgical treatments for esophageal cancers56 citations · 2014
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