Research
Dr. Rao believes in ongoing research to improve the quality of care and optimise the clinical outcomes for the patients. Dr. Rao has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals, and several book chapters and has several ongoing projects. He is on the editorial panel of a number of international journals and he guides trainees, residents and medical students on research papers.
Publications
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Cervical Spine( Neck)
Lu VM; Zhang L; Scherman DB; Rao PJ; Mobbs RJ; Phan K, 2017, ‘Treating multi-level cervical disc disease with hybrid surgery compared to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, European Spine Journal, vol. 26, pp. 546 – 557, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00586-016-4791-y(link is external)
Rao PJ; Phan K; Mobbs RJ; Wilson D; Ball J, 2016, ‘Cervical spine immobilization in the elderly population.’, J Spine Surg, vol. 2, pp. 41 – 46, http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/jss.2016.02.02(link is external)
Lumbar Spine(Lower back)
Campbell RJ; Mobbs RJ; Rao PJ; Phan K, 2017, ‘Interventions for Lumbar Synovial Facet Joint Cysts: A Comparison of Percutaneous, Surgical Decompression and Fusion Approaches’, World Neurosurgery, vol. 98, pp. 492 – 502, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2016.11.044(link is external)
Phan K; Xu J; Scherman DB; Rao PJ; Mobbs RJ, 2017, ‘Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with and Without an “access Surgeon”‘, Spine, vol. 42, pp. E592 – E601, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0000000000001905(link is external)
Mobbs RJ; Phan K; Maharaj M; Rao PJ, 2016, ‘Physical Activity Measured with Accelerometer and Self-Rated Disability in Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Prospective Study’, Global Spine Journal, vol. 6, pp. 459 – 464, http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1565259(link is external)
Mobbs RJ; Maharaj M; Rao PJ, 2014, ‘Clinical outcomes and fusion rates following anterior lumbar interbody fusion with bone graft substitute i-FACTOR, an anorganic bone matrix/P-15 composite’, Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, vol. 21, pp. 867 – 876, http://dx.doi.org/10.3171/2014.9.SPINE131151(link is external)
Rao PJ; Maharaj MM; Phan K; Lakshan Abeygunasekara M; Mobbs RJ, 2014, ‘Indirect foraminal decompression after anterior lumbar interbody fusion: A prospective radiographic study using a new pedicle-to-pedicle technique’, Spine Journal, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2014.12.019(link is external)
Rao PJ; Pelletier MH; Walsh WR; Mobbs RJ, 2014, ‘Spine interbody implants: material selection and modification, functionalization and bioactivation of surfaces to improve osseointegration’, Orthopaedic surgery, vol. 6, pp. 81 – 89, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/os.12098(link is external)
Rao PJ; Mobbs RJ, 2014, ‘The “TFP” fusion technique for posterior 360° lumbar fusion: a combination of open decompression, transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, and facet fusion with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation.’, Orthopaedic surgery, vol. 6, pp. 54 – 59, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/os.12086(link is external)
Phan K; Rao PJ; Ball JR; Mobbs RJ, 2016, ‘Interspinous process spacers versus traditional decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis: systematic review and meta-analysis.’, J Spine Surg, vol. 2, pp. 31 – 40, http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/jss.2016.01.07(link is external)
Phan K; Dunn AE; Rao PJ; Mobbs RJ, 2016, ‘Far lateral microdiscectomy: a minimally-invasive surgical technique for the treatment of far lateral lumbar disc herniation.’, J Spine Surg, vol. 2, pp. 59 – 63, http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/jss.2016.03.02(link is external)
Rao PJ; Phan K; Maharaj MM; Pelletier MH; Walsh WR; Mobbs RJ, 2016, ‘Accelerometers for objective evaluation of physical activity following spine surgery’, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, vol. 26, pp. 14 – 18, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2015.05.064(link is external)
Mobbs RJ; Phan K; Daly D; Rao PJ; Lennox A, 2015, ‘Approach-Related Complications of Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Results of a Combined Spine and Vascular Surgical Team’, Global Spine Journal, vol. 6, pp. 147 – 154, http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1557141(link is external)
Mobbs RJ; Phan K; Thayaparan GK; Rao PJ, 2015, ‘Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion as a Salvage Technique for Pseudarthrosis following Posterior Lumbar Fusion Surgery’, Global Spine Journal, vol. 6, pp. 14 – 20, http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1555656(link is external)
Mobbs RJ; Maharaj MM; Phan K; Rao PJ, 2015, ‘Unilateral Hemilaminectomy for Intradural Lesions’, Orthopaedic Surgery, vol. 7, pp. 244 – 249, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/os.12184(link is external)
Rao PJ; Ghent F; Phan K; Lee K; Reddy R; Mobbs RJ, 2015, ‘Stand-alone anterior lumbar interbody fusion for treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis’, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, vol. 22, pp. 1619 – 1624, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2015.03.034(link is external)
Phan K; Rao PJ; Scherman DB; Dandie G; Mobbs RJ, 2015, ‘Lateral lumbar interbody fusion for sagittal balance correction and spinal deformity’, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2015.03.050(link is external)
Phan K; Rao PJ; Mobbs RJ, 2015, ‘Percutaneous versus open pedicle screw fixation for treatment of thoracolumbar fractures: Systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies’, Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, vol. 135, pp. 85 – 92, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clineuro.2015.05.016(link is external)
Phan K; Rao PJ; Kam AC; Mobbs RJ, 2015, ‘Minimally invasive versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for treatment of degenerative lumbar disease: systematic review and meta-analysis’, European Spine Journal, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00586-015-3903-4(link is external)
Rao PJ; Loganathan A; Yeung V; Mobbs RJ, 2015, ‘Outcomes of anterior lumbar Interbody fusion surgery based on indication: A prospective study’, Neurosurgery, vol. 76, pp. 7 – 23, http://dx.doi.org/10.1227/NEU.0000000000000561(link is external)
Rao PJ; Thayaparan GK; Fairhall JM; Mobbs RJ, 2014, ‘Minimally invasive percutaneous fixation techniques for metastatic spinal disease’, Orthopaedic surgery, vol. 6, pp. 187 – 195, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/os.12114(link is external)
Brain
Phan K; Xu J; Leung V; Teng I; Sheik-Ali S; Maharaj M; Mobbs R; Rao PJ, 2016, ‘Orbital Approaches for Treatment of Carotid Cavernous Fistulas: A Systematic Review’, World Neurosurgery, vol. 96, pp. 243 – 251, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2016.08.087(link is external)
Phan S; Liao J; Jia F; Maharaj M; Reddy R; Mobbs RJ; Rao PJ; Phan K, 2016, ‘Laparotomy vs minimally invasive laparoscopic ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement for hydrocephalus: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, vol. 140, pp. 26 – 32, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clineuro.2015.10.025(link is external)
Phan K; Zhao DF; Phan S; Huo YR; Mobbs RJ; Rao PJ; Mortimer AM, 2016, ‘Endovascular therapy including thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis’, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, vol. 29, pp. 38 – 45, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2015.12.025(link is external)
Mobbs RJ; Li J; Sivabalan P; Raley D; Rao PJ, 2014, ‘Outcomes after decompressive laminectomy for lumbar spinal stenosis: Comparison between minimally invasive unilateral laminectomy for bilateral decompression and open laminectomy: Clinical article’, Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, vol. 21, pp. 179 – 186, http://dx.doi.org/10.3171/2014.4.SPINE13420(link is external)
Mobbs RJ; Loganathan A; Yeung V; Rao PJ, 2013, ‘Indications for anterior lumbar interbody fusion.’, Orthopaedic surgery, vol. 5, pp. 153 – 163
Mobbs RJ; Chung M; Rao PJ, 2013, ‘Bone graft substitutes for anterior lumbar interbody fusion.’, Orthopaedic surgery, vol. 5, pp. 77 – 85
Mobbs RJ; Sivabalan P; Li J; Wilson P; Rao PJ, 2013, ‘Hybrid technique for posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a combination of open decompression and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation.’, Orthopaedic surgery, vol. 5, pp. 135 – 141
Basic science
Rao PJ; Phan K; Maharaj MM; Scherman DB; Lambie N; Salisbury E; Mobbs RJ, 2016, ‘Histological analysis of surgical samples and a proposed scoring system for infections in intervertebral discs’, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, vol. 30, pp. 115 – 119, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2016.01.032(link is external)
Rao PJ; Phan K; Reddy R; Scherman DB; Taylor P; Mobbs RJ, 2016, ‘DISC (Degenerate-disc Infection Study With Contaminant Control)’, Spine, vol. 41, pp. 935 – 939, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0000000000001404(link is external)
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Ganko R; Rao PJ; Phan K; Mobbs RJ, 2015, ‘Can bacterial infection by low virulent organisms be a plausible cause for symptomatic disc degeneration? A systematic review’, Spine, vol. 40, pp. E587 – E592, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0000000000000832(link is external)