Pragatheeshwar Thirunavukarasu

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Pragatheeshwar Thirunavukarasu is a surgical researcher whose work has made meaningful contributions to understanding healthcare equity and access in oncological surgery. His research focuses primarily on disparities in minimally invasive surgical techniques for gastrointestinal and hepatopancreatic cancers, with a particular emphasis on how patient demographics, institutional resources, and geographic factors influence the adoption and availability of advanced surgical approaches across the United States. His most impactful work examines national-level disparities in minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer, which has garnered 44 citations and shed light on the uneven distribution of laparoscopic and robotic surgical options for patients nationwide. Building on this foundation, his 2016 study on pancreatic tumor surgery further explored how similar inequities manifest in one of the most technically demanding areas of surgical oncology, accumulating 18 citations. Together, these studies form a coherent body of research that challenges the surgical community to address systemic gaps in care delivery. Thirunavukarasu's work is particularly valuable for health policy researchers, surgical educators, and clinicians seeking to understand and ultimately reduce the barriers that prevent underserved populations from accessing cutting-edge, minimally invasive cancer care.