Papers
11
Total Citations
714
H-Index
8
About
Zahir Soonawalla is a leading pancreatic surgeon whose research has fundamentally reshaped the surgical management of pancreatic cancer. His work centers on evaluating the safety and oncological efficacy of minimally invasive techniques—specifically laparoscopic and robotic distal pancreatectomy—compared to traditional open surgery. As a key investigator in the landmark DIPLOMA trial, he provided critical evidence that minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy is non-inferior to open surgery for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a finding that has influenced global practice (over 280 citations for the 2017 study and 121 for the 2023 randomized trial). He has also pioneered comparative analyses of robotic versus laparoscopic approaches, demonstrating the potential advantages of robotic assistance in complex resections. His contributions extend to defining learning curves and establishing benchmark outcomes for these advanced procedures, ensuring quality and safety as they are adopted more widely. With multiple high-impact publications and active roles in international multicenter collaborations, Soonawalla’s work is essential reading for surgeons and researchers advancing minimally invasive pancreatic surgery.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Robotic <i>versus</i> laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy: multicentre analysis121 citations · 2021
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10