Yoji Mikami

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Total Citations

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About

Yoji Mikami is a pioneering surgeon-researcher whose work sits at the intersection of robotic surgery and peripheral nerve reconstruction. His most-cited study, "Robotic intercostal nerve harvest: a feasibility study in a pig model" (2015, 16 citations), established a foundational proof-of-concept for using the da Vinci surgical robot to harvest intercostal nerves—a technically demanding procedure critical for repairing brachial plexus and other nerve injuries. By demonstrating that robotic systems could safely isolate and retrieve these delicate nerves through minimally invasive ports in a porcine model, Mikami opened a new frontier in nerve grafting, potentially reducing donor-site morbidity and improving recovery times for patients. While his citation count reflects the niche but vital nature of this work, its impact is amplified by its role in bridging the gap between advanced robotics and reconstructive microsurgery. Mikami’s contributions are particularly notable for their translational promise: by proving robotic feasibility in a large-animal model, he laid the groundwork for future clinical trials and broader adoption of robot-assisted nerve harvest in human patients—a step toward making complex nerve repairs less invasive and more accessible.