Dimitrios Dourakis

Dimitrios Dourakis is an Associate Professor of General Surgery at the European University Cyprus (EUC), Faculty of Medicine in Nicosia, concurrently serving as Director Surgeon of the Minimally Invasive Surgery Clinic at Medical Center Group in Greece since 2015. His academic appointment as Lecturer in Surgery at EUC began in 2016, complementing his active clinical and research roles across multiple institutions.

His academic credentials include:

• Doctoral thesis (2015, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens): Study of anti-adhesive agents on experimental intestinal anastomoses
• University Diploma in Colorectal and Anal Surgery (2013, University Paris-Diderot)
• University Diploma in Hepatobiliary Surgery (2012, University of Paris XI)
• Inter-University Diploma in Ultrasound Techniques (2011, Universities of Paris, Nancy & Strasbourg)
• University Diploma in Laparoscopic Surgery (2010, University of Strasbourg)
• Medical Degree (2002, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens)

Dr. Dourakis' research centers on Minimally Invasive Surgical Innovation, with pioneering work in Robotic Surgery and Image Guided Procedures. He developed the Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (PROGRESS technique) and advanced protocols for colorectal liver metastases management. His work bridges traditional open surgery with cutting-edge technology to optimize precision, reduce complications, and accelerate patient recovery in complex gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary cases.

His publication trajectory since 2010 reveals consistent innovation in robotic pancreatic resection, augmented reality navigation for liver surgery, and endoscopic salvage techniques for challenging adenomas. Recent work emphasizes solving anatomical challenges like the Arc of Bühler variation while integrating digital tools to enhance surgical accuracy across the gastrointestinal tract.

He received the Arapakis Endowment Scholarship for medical studies and a 1st prize for the 'Exploring the Brain' public outreach initiative. His editorial contributions include peer review for 8 major surgical journals including World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery and International Journal of Medical Robotics.

As Simulation Program Lead and Structure & Function Committee Chair at EUC, he directs surgical education innovation while co-leading research with ELPEN. His current projects span ambulatory surgery optimization and digital learning platforms, building on prior work with the French Colorectal Liver Metastases Working Group and IRCAD's Image Guided Surgery protocols.

He maintains active roles at IRCAD/University of Strasbourg as Laparoscopic Surgery Expert since 2010, training surgeons globally, and leads EUC's simulation program while developing joint initiatives with the ELPEN research center to advance translational surgical science.