Kate Gavaghan
Papers
18
Total Citations
891
H-Index
16
About
Kate Gavaghan is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of robotic surgery and otology, whose work has fundamentally advanced the field of minimally invasive cochlear implantation. Her key contributions center on developing and clinically validating image-guided robotic systems for accessing the inner ear with unprecedented precision. Gavaghan led the first-in-human clinical trial for robotic cochlear implantation, demonstrating that a robot could safely drill a keyhole tunnel through the mastoid bone to the middle ear, bypassing the need for traditional mastoidectomy. Her landmark 2017 paper on the surgical procedure and first clinical experience (118 citations) established the clinical workflow that has become a foundation for this emerging technique. With over 750 total citations across her most-cited works, Gavaghan has also made critical contributions to patient-to-image registration accuracy, surgical planning tools, and safety mechanisms like neuromonitoring for facial nerve preservation. Her research extends beyond otology into augmented environments for robotic liver surgery, showcasing her versatility in image-guided interventions. Gavaghan’s work has transformed cochlear implantation from a procedure limited by human dexterity to one enhanced by robotic precision, offering patients reduced trauma and faster recovery.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Robotic cochlear implantation: surgical procedure and first clinical experience118 citations · 2017
- 2Instrument flight to the inner ear107 citations · 2017
- 3Robotic middle ear access for cochlear implantation: First in man97 citations · 2019
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- 6Surgical planning tool for robotically assisted hearing aid implantation79 citations · 2013
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