William D. Bolton

Greenville Memorial Hospital, Prisma Health

Papers

Total Citations

205

H-Index

About

William D. Bolton is a pioneering thoracic surgeon whose work has significantly advanced the field of robotic-assisted surgery. His primary research focuses on the application of robotic technology in complex thoracic procedures, particularly for lung cancer and esophageal conditions. Dr. Bolton’s major contributions include demonstrating the safety and efficacy of community-based robotic lobectomy for lung cancer, as evidenced by his highly cited 2014 study (104 citations) comparing outcomes to national databases. He also pioneered the use of electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy to precisely localize small pulmonary nodules for robotic resection (99 citations), a technique that has improved surgical accuracy and patient outcomes. Additionally, his work on robotic resection of esophageal leiomyomas highlights the expanding role of minimally invasive approaches in thoracic surgery. With over 200 combined citations for his landmark studies, Dr. Bolton has helped establish robotic thoracic surgery as a viable alternative to traditional open or video-assisted thoracoscopic approaches, offering patients reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery. His research continues to shape best practices in minimally invasive thoracic oncology.