- Medical School -
Inderpal S. Sarkaria, M.D.
- Robert Tucker Hayes Foundation Distinguished Chair in Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
- General Thoracic Surgery
- Thoracic Surgical Oncology
New Patient Appointment Accepting Virtual Visits or 214-645-7700
Biography
Inderpal S. Sarkaria, M.D., M.B.A., FACS, is a Professor in the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He serves as Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and specializes in general thoracic surgery and thoracic oncology. His expertise includes surgical treatment of esophageal cancer, lung cancer, lung nodules and cancers metastatic to the lung, thymoma and other mediastinal tumors, chest wall tumors, malignant pleural mesothelioma, myasthenia gravis, giant paraesophageal hernias, diaphragm hernias and paralysis, benign and malignant tracheal and airway diseases, thoracic outlet syndrome, and other associated conditions of the chest. He also performs hiatal hernia and anti-reflux operations for GERD such as Nissen fundoplications, achalasia procedures such as peroral endoscopic myotomies and Heller myotomies, and re-operative esophageal surgery. Dr Sarkaria is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
An internationally known academic thoracic surgical oncologist and expert in minimally invasive thoracic robotic surgery, Dr. Sarkaria has made significant contributions to the field of thoracic surgery and has an outstanding record of transformative scholarly research, instructional excellence, academic leadership, and proven clinical outcomes. As a surgeon-scientist, his academic efforts have had an impact in many focused areas, including lung cancer genomics, robotic thoracic surgery, and advanced imaging technologies in thoracic surgery.
Dr. Sarkaria completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, graduating in the top five in his class and as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He obtained his Master of Business Administration degree in executive healthcare in 2019 with honors from the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business and is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma National Business Honor Society.
Dr. Sarkaria completed his general surgery residency at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Medical College of Cornell University and spent two years as a fellow in thoracic oncology research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). His early research there significantly contributed to the identification of EGFR driver mutations in lung adenocarcinomas, a seminal finding leading to a paradigm shift in the understanding and treatment of these cancers. He completed his cardiothoracic and thoracic oncology surgery fellowships at MSKCC and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and completed an additional fellowship in minimally invasive esophageal and thoracic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) before joining the MSKCC thoracic surgery faculty in 2010. Early in his career, Dr. Sarkaria also focused his research on the development and application of novel advanced surgical robotic and imaging technologies for complex thoracic operations such as esophagectomy, for which he is internationally recognized.
Prior to joining the UT Southwestern faculty in 2024, Dr. Sarkaria returned to UPMC in 2014, where he held the Endowed Chair of Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery. He served in the UPMC Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery in various roles, including Vice Chairman for Clinical Affairs, Co-Division Chief of Thoracic and Foregut Surgery, Director of Robotic Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Surgery Quality and Outcomes, and Co-Director of the Esophageal and Lung Surgery Institute. During his tenure at UPMC, he established the robotic thoracic surgery program, which expanded under his guidance to gain international recognition for its high-volume, high-complexity, and high-quality outcomes. Dr. Sarkaria also developed a comprehensive robotic training curriculum for residents and attending surgeons, contributing to the thoracic division's prominence as an international leader in thoracic surgical robotics.
Dr. Sarkaria is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an active member in numerous surgical societies, including the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and Society of Thoracic Surgeons, for which he has directed several national and international robotic training programs. He serves on the executive boards of the Society of Robotic Surgery and the Upper Gastrointestinal International Robotic Association, and he is senior surgical editor for the journal Clinical Lung Cancer.
Dr. Sarkaria has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, with over 26 as first author, as well as more than 75 abstracts and more than 25 invited manuscripts and book chapters focusing on general thoracic surgery. He is a sought-after speaker and has delivered more than 90 lectures at home and abroad related to his research and expertise.
Personal Note
When he’s not at work, Dr. Sarkaria enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing tennis, and singing karaoke.
Education & Training
Professional Associations & Affiliations
- American Association for Thoracic Surgery
- American College of Surgeons – Fellow
- European Society of Thoracic Surgeons
- General Thoracic Surgical Club
- International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery
- New York Academy of Sciences
- Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract
- Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons
- Society of Robotic Surgery – Executive Board
- Society of Thoracic Surgeons
- Society of University Surgeons
- Upper GI International Robotic Association – Executive Board
Honors & Awards
- International Congress President, through 2025, Upper GI International Robotic Association
- U.S. Top Doctors List, 2022, 2023, 2024, Castle Connolly
- Top Doctors List, 2022, 2023, 2024, Pittsburgh Magazine
- Beta Gamma Sigma National Business Honor Society 2019
- Maxwell Chamberlain Memorial Paper for Best General Thoracic Surgery Paper 2019, Society of Thoracic Surgeons
- Cardiothoracic Surgery Chairman’s Alumni Award for Excellence 2016, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- President’s Thoracic Award for Outstanding Research 2014, International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Medical Society 1999
Books & Publications
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Books
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Chapter 89: Esophageal Cancer: Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagecotmy in Fisher’s Mastery of Surgery (8th ed.)
Alicuben ET, Ackerman JM, Sarkaria IS (2024), Wolters Kluwer -
Mediastinal lymph node dissection and approach to the fissure in Robotic Surgery (2nd ed.)
Ekeke CH, Baker N, Vercauteren M, Sarkaria IS (2021), Springer Nature Switzerland -
Instrumentation, energy devices, staplers in Robotic Surgery (2nd ed.)
Witek TD, Vercauteren M, Sarkaria IS (2021), Springer Nature Switzerland -
Esophageal perforation in The STS Cardiothoracic Surgery E-Book: Pearson’s General Thoracic Surgery
Sarkaria I, Pennathur A (2021), Society of Thoracic Surgeons -
Robotic minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) vs. open esophagectomy (OE) for resectable esophageal cancer in Difficult Decisions in Thoracic Surgery: An Evidence Based Approach
Brady JJ, Witek T, Sarkaria IS (2020), Springer Nature Switzerland -
Robotic esophageal surgery in Adult Chest Surgery (3rd ed.)
Groth SS, Sarkaria IS (2020), McGraw-Hill Education / Medical -
Minimally invasive esophagectomy in Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques for Cancers of the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Step-by-Step Approach (2nd ed.)
Baker N, Luketich JD, Sarkaria I (2020), Springer -
Robotic assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in Robotic Surgery: Clinical Perceptions, Approaches, and Challenges
Black MC, Luketich JD, Sarkaria IS (2019), Nova Science Publishers, Inc. -
Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology/American College of Surgeons Operative Standards for Cancer Surgery. Vol. 2.
Sarkaria IS, Kidane B, Korst RJ, et al. (2019), Wolters Kluwer -
Operative techniques of VATS and robotic VATS thymectomy in Shield's General Thoracic Surgery (8th ed.)
D'Cunha J, Hess NR, Sarkaria IS (2019), Wolters Kluwer -
Video-assisted and robotic esophagectomy in Shield's General Thoracic Surgery (8th ed.)
Sarkaria IS, Schaheen LW, Luketich JD (2019), Wolters Kluwer -
Robotic assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE): The Ivor Lewis Approach in The SAGES Atlas in Robotic Surgery
Safdie F, Hess N, Sarkaria IS (2018), Springer -
Minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer: Robotic esophagectomy in Atlas of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Lung and Esophageal Cancer (1st ed.)
Kernstine KH, Waters JK, Rizk NP, et al. (2017), Springer -
Minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer: General considerations in Atlas of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Lung and Esophageal Cancer (1st ed.)
Li H, Patino DA, Ferguson MK, et al. (2017), Springer -
Robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE): Ivor Lewis in Atlas of the Upper Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery (2nd ed.)
Sarkaria IS, Rizk NP (2016), Springer -
Robotically assisted minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy in Evidence-Based Practices in Gastrointestinal, Colorectal and Hepatobiliary Surgery (1st ed.)
Ripley T, Sarkaria IS (2017), Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd. -
Non-resectional alternatives in lung cancer treatment: radiofrequency ablation, cryotherapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery in European Society of Thoracic Surgeons Textbook
Sarkaria IS, Pennathur A, Luketich JD (2014), European Society of Thoracic Surgeon -
Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in Textbook of Uncommon Cancer (4th ed.)
Travis WD, Pietanza MC, Sarkaria IS (2012) -
Minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy: combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic approach in Elsevier Clinical Advisory Board – Surgical Gastroenterology and Liver Transplantation
Sarkaria IS, Luketich JD (2004) -
Surgery techniques: three-field esophagectomy in Esophageal Tumors: Principles and Practice
Sarkaria IS, Rizk NP, Rusch VW (2009), New York, Demos Medical Publishing -
Surgical Recall (4th ed.)
Sarkaria IS (2006), Philadelphia, Williams & Wilkins -
Pheochromocytoma in Extreme Surgical Recall (1st ed.)
Sarkaria IS (2004), Philadelphia, Williams & Wilkins -
Lung physiology in Extreme Surgical Recall (1st ed.)
Sarkaria IS (2004), Philadelphia, Williams & Wilkins -
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Extreme Surgical Recall (1st ed.)
Sarkaria IS (2004), Philadelphia, Williams & Wilkins
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Chapter 89: Esophageal Cancer: Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagecotmy in Fisher’s Mastery of Surgery (8th ed.)
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Publications
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Pafolacianine for intraoperative molecular imaging of cancer in the lung: The ELUCIDATE trial.
Sarkaria IS, Martin LW, Rice DC, Blackmon SH, Slade HB, Singhal S, The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery 2023 Dec 166 6 e468-e478 -
Comparison of robotic-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy versus minimally invasive esophagectomy: A propensity-matched study from a single high-volume institution.
Ekeke CN, Kuiper GM, Luketich JD, Ruppert KM, Copelli SJ, Baker N, Levy RM, Awais O, Christie NA, Dhupar R, Pennathur A, Sarkaria IS, The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery 2023 Aug 166 2 374-382.e1 -
Robotic Versus Conventional Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer: A Meta-analysis.
Zhang Y, Dong D, Cao Y, Huang M, Li J, Zhang J, Lin J, Sarkaria IS, Toni L, David R, He J, Li H, Annals of surgery 2023 Jul 278 1 39-50 -
Hybrid laparoscopic versus fully robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy: an international propensity-score matched analysis of perioperative outcome.
Jung JO, de Groot EM, Kingma BF, Babic B, Ruurda JP, Grimminger PP, Hölzen JP, Chao YK, Haveman JW, van Det MJ, Rouanet P, Benedix F, Li H, Sarkaria I, van Berge Henegouwen MI, van Boxel GI, Chiu P, Egberts JH, Sallum R, Immanuel A, Turner P, Low DE, Hubka M, Perez D, Strignano P, Biebl M, Chaudry MA, Bruns CJ, van Hillegersberg R, Fuchs HF, Surgical endoscopy 2023 Jun 37 6 4466-4477 -
Pulmonary Open, Robotic, and Thoracoscopic Lobectomy (PORTaL) Study: Survival Analysis of 6646 Cases.
Kent MS, Hartwig MG, Vallières E, Abbas AE, Cerfolio RJ, Dylewski MR, Fabian T, Herrera LJ, Jett KG, Lazzaro RS, Meyers B, Reddy RM, Reed MF, Rice DC, Ross P, Sarkaria IS, Schumacher LY, Spier LN, Tisol WB, Wigle DA, Zervos M, Annals of surgery 2023 Jun 277 6 1002-1009 -
Pulmonary Open, Robotic, and Thoracoscopic Lobectomy (PORTaL) Study: An Analysis of 5721 Cases.
Kent MS, Hartwig MG, Vallières E, Abbas AE, Cerfolio RJ, Dylewski MR, Fabian T, Herrera LJ, Jett KG, Lazzaro RS, Meyers B, Mitzman BA, Reddy RM, Reed MF, Rice DC, Ross P, Sarkaria IS, Schumacher LY, Tisol WB, Wigle DA, Zervos M, Annals of surgery 2023 Mar 277 3 528-533 -
Colon Interposition for Esophageal Cancer.
Sanchez MV, Alicuben ET, Luketich JD, Sarkaria IS, Thoracic surgery clinics 2022 Nov 32 4 511-527 -
State of the Art in Lung Nodule Localization.
Alicuben ET, Levesque RL, Ashraf SF, Christie NA, Awais O, Sarkaria IS, Dhupar R, Journal of clinical medicine 2022 Oct 11 21 -
Robotic-assisted minimally invasive thymectomy for myasthenia gravis with thymoma.
Su KW, Luketich JD, Sarkaria IS, JTCVS techniques 2022 Jun 13 270-274 -
Activity-Based Cost Analysis of Robotic Anatomic Lung Resection During Program Implementation.
Coyan GN, Lu M, Ruppert KM, Baker N, Levy RM, Luketich JD, Schuchert MJ, Sarkaria IS, The Annals of thoracic surgery 2022 Jan 113 1 244-249 -
Intraoperative imaging and localization techniques for part-solid nodules.
Su KW, Singhal S, Sarkaria IS, JTCVS techniques 2021 Dec 10 468-472 -
Expert consensus on resection of chest wall tumors and chest wall reconstruction.
Wang L, Yan X, Zhao J, Chen C, Chen C, Chen J, Chen KN, Cao T, Chen MW, Duan H, Fan J, Fu J, Gao S, Guo H, Guo S, Guo W, Han Y, Jiang GN, Jiang H, Jiao WJ, Kang M, Leng X, Li HC, Li J, Li J, Li SM, Li S, Li Z, Li Z, Liang C, Mao NQ, Mei H, Sun D, Wang D, Wang L, Wang Q, Wang S, Wang T, Liu L, Xiao G, Xu S, Yang J, Ye T, Zhang G, Zhang L, Zhao G, Zhao J, Zhong WZ, Zhu Y, Hulsewé KWE, Vissers YLJ, de Loos ER, Jeong JY, Marulli G, Sandri A, Sziklavari Z, Vannucci J, Ampollini L, Ueda Y, Liu C, Bille A, Hamaji M, Aramini B, Inci I, Pompili C, Van Veer H, Fiorelli A, Sara R, Sarkaria IS, Davoli F, Kuroda H, Bölükbas S, Li XF, Huang L, Jiang T, Translational lung cancer research 2021 Nov 10 11 4057-4083 -
Technique of robotic esophagectomy.
Witek TD, Brady JJ, Sarkaria IS, Journal of thoracic disease 2021 Oct 13 10 6195-6204 -
Two-Year Quality of Life Outcomes After Robotic-Assisted Minimally Invasive and Open Esophagectomy.
Vimolratana M, Sarkaria IS, Goldman DA, Rizk NP, Tan KS, Bains MS, Adusumilli PS, Sihag S, Isbell JM, Huang J, Park BJ, Molena D, Rusch VW, Jones DR, Bott MJ, The Annals of thoracic surgery 2021 Sep 112 3 880-889 -
Specific complications and limitations of robotic esophagectomy.
Abbas AE, Sarkaria IS, Diseases of the esophagus : official journal of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus 2020 Nov 33 Supplement_2 -
The association of robotic lobectomy volume and nodal upstaging in non-small cell lung cancer.
Okusanya OT, Lutfi W, Baker N, Dhupar R, Christie NA, Levy RM, Martinez-Meehan D, Siripong N, Luketich JD, Sarkaria IS, Journal of robotic surgery 2020 Oct 14 5 709-715 -
Clinical and economic comparative effectiveness of robotic-assisted, video-assisted thoracoscopic, and open lobectomy.
Nguyen DM, Sarkaria IS, Song C, Reddy RM, Villamizar N, Herrera LJ, Shi L, Liu E, Rice D, Oh DS, Journal of thoracic disease 2020 Mar 12 3 296-306 -
Robotic assisted minimally invasive thymectomy with simultaneous bilateral thoracoscopy and contralateral phrenic nerve visualization.
Hess NR, Baker N, Levy RM, Pennathur A, Christie NA, Luketich JD, Sarkaria IS, Journal of thoracic disease 2020 Feb 12 2 114-122 -
Neoadjuvant Therapy Vs Upfront Surgery for Clinical T2N0 Esophageal Cancer: A Systematic Review.
Kidane B, Korst RJ, Weksler B, Farrell A, Darling GE, Martin LW, Reddy R, Sarkaria IS, The Annals of thoracic surgery 2019 Sep 108 3 935-944 -
Lobectomy in octogenarians: real world outcomes for robotic-assisted, video-assisted thoracoscopic, and open approaches.
Sarkaria IS, Gorrepati ML, Mehendale S, Oh DS, Journal of thoracic disease 2019 Jun 11 6 2420-2430 -
Early operative outcomes and learning curve of robotic assisted giant paraesophageal hernia repair.
Sarkaria IS, Latif MJ, Bianco VJ, Bains MS, Rusch VW, Jones DR, Rizk NP, The international journal of medical robotics + computer assisted surgery : MRCAS 2017 Mar 13 1 -
Robotic assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE): the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center initial experience.
Okusanya OT, Sarkaria IS, Hess NR, Nason KS, Sanchez MV, Levy RM, Pennathur A, Luketich JD, Annals of cardiothoracic surgery 2017 Mar 6 2 179-185
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Pafolacianine for intraoperative molecular imaging of cancer in the lung: The ELUCIDATE trial.
Research
- Advanced intraoperative imaging of thoracic malignancies
- Quality improvement in the conduct, safety, treatment, and outcomes for thoracic surgery patients with neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases
- Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors
- Esophageal and lung cancer
- Advances in robotics and technology in thoracic surgery
Clinical Focus
- General Thoracic Surgery
- Thoracic Surgical Oncology
- Esophageal Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
- Hiatal and Paraesophageal Hernia
- Thymoma and Mediastinal Tumors
- Achalasia
- Tracheal and Airway Tumors and Conditions
Results: 5 Locations
Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery Clinic
at Cancer Care Outpatient Building 6202 Harry Hines Blvd., 9th FloorDallas, Texas 75235 (214) 645-4673 Directions to Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery Clinic Parking Info for Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery Clinic
Thoracic Surgery
at UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at Moncrief Cancer Institute 400 W. Magnolia AvenueFort Worth, Texas 76104 214-645-7700 Directions to Thoracic Surgery Parking Info for Thoracic Surgery
Thoracic Surgery
at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Coppell 2999 Olympus Blvd., 3rd FloorCoppell, Texas 75019 214-645-7700 Directions to Thoracic Surgery Parking Info for Thoracic Surgery
Thoracic Surgery
at UT Southwestern Medical Center at RedBird 3450 W. Camp Wisdom RoadDallas, Texas 75237 214-645-7700 Directions to Thoracic Surgery Parking Info for Thoracic Surgery
Thoracic Surgery at THD
at Professional Building 3 8230 Walnut Hill Lane, 204Dallas, Texas 75231 214-645-7700 Directions to Thoracic Surgery at THD Parking Info for Thoracic Surgery at THD
New Patient Appointment Accepting Virtual Visits or 214-645-7700