Papers
38
Total Citations
3,082
H-Index
24
About
Kang Young Lee is a pioneering surgical oncologist whose work has fundamentally shaped the adoption and evaluation of robotic surgery in two critical domains: colorectal cancer and thyroid carcinoma. With a body of research accumulating over 2,000 citations, Lee has been instrumental in establishing robotic-assisted surgery as a credible and technically superior alternative to conventional laparoscopic and open approaches. His landmark 2009 study documenting outcomes across 338 consecutive patients undergoing gasless transaxillary robotic thyroidectomy — now cited nearly 450 times — helped legitimize a minimally invasive approach that dramatically reduces visible scarring. Simultaneously, Lee has produced some of the most rigorous comparative evidence in robotic rectal surgery, examining short- and long-term oncologic outcomes, voiding and sexual function preservation, and the nuanced learning curve surgeons face when adopting robotic total mesorectal excision. His 2014 multi-phase learning curve analysis and 2023 randomized controlled trial reflect a career-long commitment to methodological rigor rather than surgical enthusiasm alone. Lee's research consistently asks not merely whether robotic surgery is feasible, but whether it genuinely improves patient outcomes — making his contributions essential reading for surgeons and researchers navigating the evolving landscape of minimally invasive oncological surgery.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 3Long-term Oncologic Outcomes of Robotic Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer244 citations · 2014
- 4The Impact of Robotic Surgery for Mid and Low Rectal Cancer197 citations · 2012
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- 6Comparison of Laparoscopic Versus Robot-Assisted Surgery for Rectal Cancers150 citations · 2023
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