Tag: Medicine
Protected: Tarun Jain, Medicine, Innovative Researcher Award
Protected: Abinaya Rajendiran, Medicine, Best Innovator Award
Pavan Sugoor, Medicine, Innovative Researcher Award
Dr. Pavan Sugoor: Associate Professor at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, India
Article Details
The study titled “Flare Study – Fluorescence-Guided Lymphadenectomy for Augmented Retrieval and Evaluation in Rectal Cancer Surgery” was published in the Indian Journal of Surgical Oncology on 10 February 2026. It is a single-centre, investigator-initiated, quasi-experimental study conducted on patients with mid-to-lower rectal cancer who had undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT). The study compares fluorescence-guided lymphadenectomy using peri-tumoral indocyanine green (ICG) with standard lymphadenectomy in propensity score–matched cohorts, focusing on lymph node retrieval, aberrant node detection, and modifications to surgical extent.
Novelty
The study introduces fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) with ICG specifically for post-NACRT rectal cancer, where fibrotic changes often hinder lymph node retrieval. The novelty lies in combining peri-tumoral ICG tattooing with systematic fluorescence-guided dissection, enabling the detection of small aberrant nodes outside the conventional total mesorectal excision (TME) field—a concept not widely applied in rectal cancer surgery to date.
Impact
The findings demonstrate that fluorescence guidance doubles lymph node yield (14 vs 7 nodes) and identifies small malignant nodes (mean 4 mm) that standard TME could miss. Clinically, this could enhance staging accuracy, influence adjuvant therapy decisions, and potentially improve oncologic outcomes, highlighting the method’s direct impact on surgical precision and patient prognosis.
Originality
This research is original in its approach to using FGS as an adjunctive tool in a post-radiation fibrotic surgical field, rather than as a general lymphatic mapping technique. Its focus on aberrant nodes outside standard TME boundaries addresses a gap in current rectal cancer surgical protocols, positioning it as a pioneer study in fluorescence-guided rectal lymphadenectomy.
Experimental Rigor
The study demonstrates reasonable rigor for a quasi-experimental design. It uses a prospectively maintained database, 1:1 propensity score matching, and clearly defines primary and secondary outcomes. Limitations include single-centre design, moderate sample size (46 patients per group), and short-term endpoints, with long-term oncologic outcomes not yet evaluated.
Sustainability Impact
From a sustainability perspective, FGS may contribute indirectly by reducing the need for repeat surgeries due to missed nodes or understaging. It is minimally resource-intensive, requiring only ICG and standard laparoscopic equipment, and does not introduce significant environmental or material waste. Widespread adoption could optimize resource use in rectal cancer surgery by improving surgical efficiency.
Applicability
The technique is highly applicable in tertiary care and oncology centers familiar with laparoscopic surgery and ICG fluorescence imaging. It could be integrated into standard rectal cancer surgical protocols after NACRT to enhance lymph node retrieval, guide individualized surgery, and refine staging. Broader applicability requires multicenter validation and assessment of long-term survival outcomes.
Research Portfolio
Dr. Pavan Sugoor is a leading surgical oncologist with over 15 years of experience in gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers. Renowned for his expertise in minimally invasive, laparoscopic, and robotic surgeries, he combines cutting-edge clinical practice with a commitment to research and medical education. He currently serves as Associate Professor at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru, India, and has trained extensively in India, Japan, and China. Dr. Sugoor is passionate about improving patient outcomes through innovation in surgical techniques and enhanced recovery protocols.
Online Profile
Dr. Sugoor maintains a robust online presence through academic and professional platforms, sharing insights on robotic and laparoscopic colorectal surgery, multidisciplinary cancer care, and surgical innovations. He actively contributes to international conferences, webinars, and workshops, and serves on editorial boards of journals such as Indian Journal of Surgical Oncology and Colorectal Disease. Additionally, he collaborates with medical technology companies like Stryker, Medtronic, and Johnson & Johnson, promoting research-driven innovation in surgical devices.
Education
Dr. Sugoor earned his MBBS from Sree Siddhartha Medical College (2004), followed by an MS in General Surgery at M.S. Ramaiah Medical College (2009). He completed his MCh in Surgical Oncology at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai (2016). Further, he pursued specialized fellowships in gastrointestinal and colorectal surgery and advanced surgical oncology training in esophageal, gastric, and thoracic cancers in Japan and China. His comprehensive educational background reflects a blend of foundational surgical skills and advanced oncological expertise.
Research Focus
His primary research focus includes minimally invasive and robotic colorectal surgery, pelvic exenteration, fluorescence-guided oncologic surgery, and molecular profiling of gastrointestinal cancers. He investigates patient outcomes in enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs, neoadjuvant versus adjuvant therapy strategies, and surgical approaches for complex colorectal and gastric cancers. He is also involved in multicentric clinical trials aimed at advancing precision surgery and improving postoperative quality of life.
Experience
Dr. Sugoor has extensive clinical experience across various oncology disciplines, including colorectal, gastric, hepatopancreatobiliary, thoracic, and breast-oncoplastic surgeries. He has held positions as Assistant Professor and Associate Professor at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology and completed senior residency and fellowship roles at Tata Memorial Hospital. He has performed numerous complex oncologic procedures and is recognized for his skill in robotic and laparoscopic surgeries, teaching, and mentoring young surgeons.
Research Timeline & Activities
Over the years, Dr. Sugoor has led multiple research projects, including studies on drug-resistant colorectal cancer, timing of stoma closure, Bakri balloon applications in pelvic surgery, and patient-reported outcomes in enhanced recovery programs. He actively collaborates on multicentric trials, supervises postgraduate research, and explores innovations in surgical oncology techniques. His work bridges clinical practice and research, ensuring evidence-based improvements in cancer care.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Sugoor has received numerous awards recognizing both his academic excellence and research contributions. Highlights include ranking 3rd in his MS final exams, first prizes for oral presentations at the Association of Surgeons of India conferences, and recognition for surgical teaching and mentorship. He is also invited as a guest speaker and panelist at national and international surgical oncology conferences.
strengths of Dr. Pavan Sugoor for the Best Innovator Award:
1. Pioneering Surgical Techniques
Dr. Sugoor has consistently introduced and implemented innovative surgical approaches, such as fluorescence-guided lymphadenectomy and advanced robotic colorectal surgeries. His work in post-NACRT rectal cancer demonstrates a commitment to enhancing surgical precision, improving lymph node retrieval, and detecting aberrant nodes outside standard dissection fields—a novel application with significant clinical impact.
2. Integration of Research and Clinical Practice
He bridges cutting-edge research with practical patient care, conducting quasi-experimental and multicentric studies while directly applying findings in the operating theatre. This ensures that innovations are evidence-based, clinically relevant, and immediately translatable, increasing patient safety, outcomes, and the efficiency of cancer care.
3. International Training and Collaboration
With fellowships and training in Japan and China, along with collaborations with global medical technology companies (Stryker, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson), Dr. Sugoor leverages international expertise and technological innovations to pioneer new surgical techniques and adapt them to the Indian healthcare context.
4. Educational and Mentorship Contributions
Dr. Sugoor has a strong focus on training the next generation of surgeons through mentorship, workshops, webinars, and conference presentations. His ability to teach advanced surgical methods and disseminate innovative practices contributes to long-term impact and the propagation of surgical innovation across institutions.
5. Multidisciplinary and Patient-Centered Innovation
His research spans fluorescence-guided surgery, minimally invasive and robotic oncology, ERAS protocols, and molecular profiling, emphasizing precision, personalized care, and patient outcomes. By combining technology, research, and patient-focused strategies, he consistently develops sustainable and high-impact innovations that improve both short- and long-term quality of life for cancer patients.