Sakorafas Georgios

Sakorafas Georgios

Thyroid- and parathyroid surgery are my main areas of specialization. My vast experience in thyroidectomy (with/without lymph node dissection) and parathyroidectomy is reflected both on a clinical and an academic/research level. My long-standing, systematic, and thorough experience in thyroid and parathyroid surgery is also demonstrated through the numerous operations I have performed on thyroid and parathyroid patients and through my publications in reputable Greek and international medical journals. By December 2021, I had performed approximately 2,300 thyroidectomies (with lymph node dissection on 350 patients) and approximately 260 thyroidectomies. Further information on my published articles can be found in the following sections.

A brief outline of my professional and academic background is presented below: 

  • I graduated high school with high honors. The same year, I was the first to pass the entrance exams at the Medical School of the University of Athens and the Greek Military Medical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. I completed my medical studies at the Greek Military Medical School and was the captain of my class throughout my studies. I was also the general captain of the Greek Military Medical School during the 6th year of my studies.
  • I graduated from the Greek Military Medical School with the highest honors and score in my class (second Lieutenant - Doctor).
  • I served as the Head of Health Services at 135 Combat Group (135 CG, Military Airport of the Island of Skyros) for one year.
  • After that, I served as the head of Health Services of the Hellenic Airforce General Staff Department in Athens for one year.
  • I completed my residency in General Surgery at the 1st Propaedeutic Department of Surgery of the University of Athens (“Ippokratio” General Hospital of Athens) and my doctorate at the University of Athens. I graduated with the highest honors.
  • I was an attending physician at the Department of Surgery at the 251 Hellenic Airforce General Hospital for three years. During the same time, I worked as a surgeon and served as the Head of the Office for Healthcare Professionals Training.
  • I completed a two-year training program in endocrine surgery and general surgical oncology (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America).
  • After completing my training in the United States, I was appointed Deputy Director of the Department of Surgery at 251 Hellenic Airforce General Hospital. I was also the Head of the Emergency Department (ER) at the 251 Hellenic Airforce General Hospital for three years.
  • After resigning from the Hellenic Airforce General Hospital, I was appointed Assistant Professor at the Surgery Department of the University of Athens (“Attikon” General University Hospital), where I worked for 5.5 years. I was then appointed Coordinating Director of the Surgery Department at Agios Savvas Cancer Hospital in Athens, where I worked for five years.
  • I have been a private practice surgeon (thyroid and parathyroid surgery) since September 2017 (Hygeia-Mitera Medical Centre, Iatrikon, Evgenideio Hospital). 
  • Endocrine surgery (thyroid and parathyroid surgery) is my focus. By March 2021, I had performed more than 2,300 thyroid operations (total thyroidectomy) on patients with a wide range of thyroid disorders (thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, Graves’ disease, toxic nodular goiter, simple non-toxic goiter, toxic adenoma, thyroiditis, etc.). Three hundred fifty patients who underwent total thyroidectomy also underwent cervical lymph node dissection (due to cervical lymph node metastases). Many of these cases were referred to me by other doctors as they required highly specialized interventions due to their complexity (e.g., large substernal goiters, large (giant) goiter causing pressure on the trachea, and significant stenosis of the tracheal lumen, tracheal invasion by cancer, etc.) In some cases, treatments were combined with sternotomy (substernal goiter) or thoracotomy (ectopic intrathoracic thyroid with thyroid cancer development). I also have significant experience in thyroid, parathyroid, and cervical reoperations, which are known to be technically difficult, are associated with an increased risk of complications and require significant attention and experience. By December 2021, I had completed over 250 parathyroidectomy procedures in patients with hyperparathyroidism. Some were particularly challenging as they were reoperations after a previously failed surgery. In other cases, we had patients with hyperparathyroidism due to ectopic pathological parathyroid tissue. Throughout my career, I have been focusing on endocrine surgery (thyroid and parathyroid) while working closely with an experienced team of anesthesiologists, endocrinologists, radiologists, cytologists, and pathologists, who have helped me manage challenging and complex medical cases. 

Besides thyroid and parathyroid procedures, I have performed many procedures within the spectrum of general surgery, such as the following abdominal procedures that are related to various conditions (malignant or benign):

  • Biliary tract procedures, including many laparoscopic cholecystectomies 
  • Small and large intestine surgeries for a wide range of conditions (mostly for colorectal cancer)
  • Gastric procedures (primarily for stomach cancer)
  • Surgeries of the spleen and pancreas 
  • Adrenalectomy (open incision technique and laparoscopic)
  • Appendectomy (open and laparoscopic appendectomy)
  • Retroperitoneal tumor resection 
  • Surgeries of rectal disorders (malignant and benign) 
  • Soft tissue surgeries (including breast surgeries for malignant and benign conditions)
  • Plastic reconstruction of abdominal wall hernia

I have made 220 publications in international medical journals. My publications were in American, European, and international high-impact journals, including the Surgical Clinics of North America, the British Journal of Surgery, the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Surgical Oncology, Surgical Endoscopy, the American Journal of Surgery, and the European Journal of Surgical Oncology. These publications can be found online at www.PubMed.com. (This concerns publications that have been published in this online database). 

Thirty publications out of a total of 220 are on thyroid disorders. This figure reflects my interest and experience in thyroid and parathyroid conditions. Two of my latest publications are on the innovative method of selective or compartment-oriented lymph node dissection, which is expected to replace modified radical neck dissection. 

I have also made 103 publications in Greek medical journals (Iatriki, Hellenic Armed Forces Medical Review - Iatriki Epitheorisi, Greek Society of Surgery).

I have participated as a contributing writer in 11 international monographs on general surgery and endocrine surgery published by publishing houses in England and the United States. 

I have published 21 monographs and translations of international scientific books. Four books I have translated are college textbooks at the Department of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. 

I have participated in various Greek and international conferences as a speaker and a member of their organizing committee. I have also presided over various roundtables organized in Greece and abroad. 

I have experience in training and teaching resident doctors in the surgery departments of the following hospitals: 251 Hellenic Airforce General Hospital, “Attikon” General University Hospital, and Agios Savvas Cancer Hospital. Lastly, I have been a guest instructor at the surgery department of the 1st Propaedeutic Department of Surgery of the University of Athens (“Ippokratio” General Hospital of Athens).

Professional Memberships

  • European Society of Surgical Oncology
  • Greek Society of Medical Studies
  • Greek Society of Surgery
  • Greek Society of Surgical Oncology 
  • Greek Society of Military Medicine (Founder)
  • Greek Society of GI Surgery (Founder)

Editorial Board Member - Reviewer 

  • BMC-Endocrinology
  • International Journal of Endocrine Oncology
  • British Journal of Cancer
  • European Journal of Surgical Oncology
  • British Journal of Surgery
  • Clinical Anatomy
  • European Journal of Cancer Care
  • International Journal of Surgical Oncology
  • Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
  • Journal of Pancreatology
  • Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics
  • World Journal of Surgical Oncology
  • Hellenic Armed Forces Medical Review (Iatriki Epitheorisi)
  • Iatriki
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pancBG

Hellenic Pancreas Institute

The Hellenic Pancreas Institute aims at promoting and spreading knowledge on pancreatic diseases and their successful treatment based on the latest developments. Our work focuses on three distinct but complementary pillars:

  1. The advancement of scientific knowledge on pancreatic diseases through research and studies that lead to developing the most effective treatments.
  2. Awareness raising among the public and primary care physicians on the importance of timely diagnosis and the treatment of pancreatic diseases based on the latest standards. 
  3. The collaboration with organizations in Greece and abroad to effectively promote the goals of the Hellenic Pancreas Institute.