Specialty Interests
bladder and prostate, cryosurgery and needle ablation of kidney tumor, kidney, laparoscopic surgery of the adrenal, Robotic Surgery, robotic surgery, cryosurgery, needle ablation of kidney tumor
Innovations & Patents
Development of Innovative Surgical Techniques:
- Performed the initial laboratory work on laparoscopic radical cystectomy (removal of bladder) and intracorporeal urinary diversion. This eventually helped in development of laparoscopic radical cystectomy and urinary diversion that is widely performed at present. Dr Kaouk received First Prize in the 18th World Congress on Endourology and Shockwave, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2000. The research was published in J Endourol, 15(2): 131-142, 2001 "Laparoscopic Orthotopic Ileal Neobladder."
- Developed technique for robotic radical prostatectomy and sural nerve grafting. This technique allows the surgeon to graft a nerve from the patient's leg to the area of excised prostate to restore continuity of nerves responsible for potency in men. This microsurgical technique was published and referenced in Medline as follows: Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Sural Nerve Grafting during Radical Prostatectomy: Initial Experience. J Urol, 170(3): 909-912, 2003.
- Developed a technique of nerve-sparing robotic radical prostatectomy that uses laser energy to dissect tissue with minimal collateral damage. The initial laboratory work and initial clinical series was published at the American Urological Association meeting in 2007.
- Pioneered single-port laparoscopic surgery in urology. Laparoscopic surgery usually requires several small incisions. With single-port surgery, Dr Kaouk was able to perform various laparoscopic procedures through a single incision. Most of these procedures were first ever done in urology such as single-port laparoscopic nephrectomy, cryoablation, renal cyst excision, sacrocolpopexy, varicocelectomy, radical prostatectomy and radical cystectomy. Initial work was accepted in peer-reviewed journals (in press) in Urology journal and British Journal of Urology.
Development of Surgical Instruments:
- Designed an instrument that can be used to perform laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with minimal risk of bleeding and without the need for advanced laparoscopic skills. The device uses radiofrequency ablation to create a bloodless zone around kidney tumor, then one can pass a knife to cut the tumor. Dr. Kaouk and Cleveland Clinic patented the device. Dr Kaouk received the Innovator Award for this device in 2006.
Industry Relationships
Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate
with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries
to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide
medical education about recent trends. The
collaborations are reviewed as part of the Cleveland
Clinic’s procedures. The Cleveland Clinic publicly
discloses payments to its physicians and scientists
for speaking and consulting of
$5,000 or more per year, and any equity, royalties,
and fiduciary relationships in companies with which
they collaborate. In publicly disclosing this
information, the Cleveland Clinic tries to provide
information as accurately as possible about its
doctors’ connections with industry and those of their
immediate family members. As of 10/24/2008, Dr.
Kaouk has reported the financial relationships
with the companies listed below. Patients should feel
free to contact their doctor about any of the
relationships and how the relationships are overseen
by the Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about the
Cleveland Clinic’s policies on collaborations with
industry and innovation management, go to
our Integrity in Innovation page.
Consulting. Dr. Kaouk receives fees of $5,000 or more per year as a paid consultant or speaker for the following companies:
Endocare, Inc.
Intuitive Surgical Inc.
