Dr. Krishnakumar Thankappan

Dr. Krishnakumar currently serves as Professor at the Department of Head and Surgery and Oncology at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (Amrita Hospital).

He did his MBBS at T. D. Medical College, Alappuzha and obtained MS (ENT) from B.J. Medical College Pune in January 2002. During May 2002 – August 2005, he worked as a consultant ENT surgeon at KVM Hospital, Cherthala. Later, he joined Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences to obtain his MCh (Head and Neck Surgical Oncology) and successfully completed the same in June 2008. In July 2008, he joined Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York for a two-year fellowship program in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology. During the first year of the fellowship program, Dr. Krishnakumar was actively involved in research projects on the development of newer photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) for head and neck tumors. During the second year, he was exposed to the entire clinical aspects covering ablative and reconstructive head and neck surgery with exposure to endoscopic skull base surgery.

After completing the fellowship program, he joined Amrita Hospital in August 2010 as Associate Professor.

Having over 17 years of clinical experience and 10 years of academic experience, he has presented and published papers in national and international forums. Won the Young Investigator Award, at the Indian Co-operative Oncology network. He has more than 40 publications in international journals. He is the Regional Editor (Asia Pacific) of the Journal of Craniomaxillofacial Trauma and Reconstruction (AOCMF) and is a journal reviewer of more than 10 international journals including The Laryngoscope, Clinical Otolaryngology, Head and Neck. Has written a book titled “Basic Concepts in Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology”.

Area of Interest (s) :

Head & Neck Surgical Oncology

Reconstructive Microsurgery

Skull base Surgery

Endoscopic Thyroidectomy

Robotic Thyroidectomy and Neck Surgery

Trans-oral Robotic Surgery

Sialendoscopy

Laser Laryngeal Surgery

Achievements :

Delivered Dr. M. N. Mahore Oration, VENTCON 2013 Nagpur.

Annual conference of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India, Vidarbha branch, on ‘What is new in Head and Neck Cancer.’

Received ICMR International Travel Grant.

Attended 8th International Conference of Head and Neck Cancer, Toronto, Canada during July 21 – 25, 2012.

Received DST International Travel Grant.

Attended the joint meeting of the World Federation of Skull Base Societies and the European Skull Base Society held in Brighton, United Kingdom during May 16 – 19, 2012.

ACORD Fellowship.

Attended Australia and Asia Pacific Research Development Workshop, Queensland, Australia during Sept 12 – 17, 2010.

Dr. M. A. Gopalakrishnan Gold Medal for the best paper.

Distraction Osteogenesis in the management of Craniofacial Anomalies. Presented at Kerala State Conference of Otorhinolaryngology, Manjeri, India, October 2005.

FHNO Medal for the second best paper.

3D-CT Based Contouring of Free Fibula Bone Graft in Mandibular

Special Training :

Fellowship in Robotic Thyroid, Head and Neck, Transoral Surgery ( Yonsei University, South Korea)

Fellowship in Head and Neck, Skull base and Reconstructive Surgery (Roswell Park Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA)

Publications :

Joseph ST, Thankappan K, Buggaveeti R, Sharma M, Mathew J, Iyer S. Challenges in the reconstruction of bilateral maxillectomy defects. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2015 Feb;73(2):349-56.

Sharma M, Wakure A, Thankappan K, Mathew J, Jairaj D, Dudipala RR, Iyer S.Anatomic basis for an algorithmic approach for free fibula flap donor sideselection in composite oro-mandibular defects. Indian J Plast Surg. 2015Jan-Apr;48(1):43-7.

Joseph ST, Thankappan K, Buggaveeti R, Iyer S. Pneumosinus Dilatans HelpingSubcranial Resection in a Patient with Advanced Ethmoid Malignancy.Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2015 Sep;8(3):218-20.

Sharma M, Dudipala RR, Mathew J, Wakure A, Thankappan K, Balasubramaniam D,Iyer S. Objective analysis of microtia reconstruction in Indian patients andmodifications in management protocol. Indian J Plast Surg. 2015 May-Aug;48(2):144-52.

Joseph ST, Sharankumar S, Sandya CJ, Sivakumar V, Sherry P, Krishnakumar T,Subramania I. Easy and Safe Method for Facial Nerve Identification in ParotidSurgery. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2015 Dec;76(6):426-31.

Joseph S.T., Aravind T., Iyer S., Thankappan K. Comment on “A novel tumor: Specimen index for assessing adequacy of resection in early stage oral tongue cancer” by Montero P.H., Palmer F.L., Shuman A.G. et al. [Oral Oncol 2014;50(3):213-20]. Oral Oncol. 2014 Apr 20. pii: S1368-8375(14)00106-7.

Sampathirao L.M., Thankappan K., Duraisamy S., Hedne N., Sharma M., Mathew J., Iyer S. Orbital floor reconstruction with free flaps after maxillectomy. Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2013 Jun;6(2):99-106.

Sharma M., Balasubramanian D., Thankappan K., Mathew J., Jayaprasad K., Iyer S. Practical technique for predictable wedge osteotomies during microvascular free fibula reconstruction after mandibulectomy. J Reconstr Microsurg. 2013 Oct;29(8):555-8.

Jayaprasad K., Mathew J., Thankappan K., Sharma M., Duraisamy S., Rajan S., Paul J.,  Iyer S. Safety and efficacy of low molecular weight dextran (dextran 40) in head  and neck free flap reconstruction. J Reconstr Microsurg. 2013 Sep;29(7):443-8.

Sharma M., Balasubramanian D., Thankappan K., Sampathirao C.L., Mathew J., Chavre S., Iyer S. Propeller flaps in the closure of free fibula flap donor site skin defects. Ann Plast Surg. 2013 Jul;71(1):76-9.

Iyer S., Thankappan K., Kuriakose M.A., Sampathirao L.M., Mathew J., Sharma M. Tensor fascia lata-iliac crest-internal oblique free flap for composite orbito-maxillary defect with orbital exenteration. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2013 Apr;66(4):e116-8.

Thankappan K., Iyer S., Rajapurkar M., Sharma M., Subash P. Flap hitching technique to the teeth after oral cancer resection. J Surg Tech Case Rep. 2012 Jan;4 (1):19-21.

Rajapurkar M., Thankappan K., Sampathirao L.M., Kuriakose M.A., Iyer S. Oncologic and functional outcome of the preserved eye in malignant sinonasal tumors. Head Neck. 2013 Oct;35(10):1379-84.

Battoo A.J., Hedne N., Ahmad S.Z., Thankappan K., Iyer S., Kuriakose M.A. Selective neck dissection is effective in N1/N2 nodal stage oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2013 Mar;71(3):636-43.

Battoo A.J., Thankappan K., Ahmad S.Z., Hedne N., Balasubramanian D., Trivedi N., Iyer S., Kuriakose M.A. Efficacy of per oral access in the surgical management of T2/T3 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2012 Dec;147(6):1069-75.

Kurup S., Thankappan K., Krishnan N., Nair P.P. Intraoral schwannoma–a report oftwo cases. BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Jul 9; 2012. pii: bcr1220115389.

Sadasivan A., Thankappan K., Rajapurkar M., Shetty S., Sreehari S., Iyer S. Verrucous lesions of the oral cavity treated with surgery: Analysis of clinico-pathologic features and outcome. Contemp Clin Dent. 2012 Jan;3(1):60-3.

Sharan R., Thankappan K., Iyer S., Panicker D., Kuriakose M.A. Intraoperative transillumination to determine the extent of frontal sinus in subcranial approach to anterior skull base. Skull Base. 2011 Mar;21(2):71-4.

Balasubramanian D., Thankappan K., Kuriakose M.A., Duraisamy S., Sharan R., Mathew J., Sharma M., Iyer S. Reconstructive indications of simultaneous double free flaps in the head and neck: a case series and literature review. Microsurgery. 2012Sep;32(6):423-30.

Balasubramanian D., Thankappan K., Battoo A.J., Rajapurkar M., Kuriakose M.A., Iyer S. Isolated skip nodal metastasis is rare in T1 and T2 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2012 Aug;147(2):275-7.

Balasubramanian D., Thankappan K., Shetty S., Jayaprasad K., Mathew J., Iyer S. Cricotracheal reconstruction with free radial forearm flap and titanium mesh. Head Neck. 2013 Jun;35(6):E178-80.

Balasubramanian D., Iyer S., Thankappan K. Tracheoesophageal puncture site closure with single perforator-based deltopectoral flap. Head Neck. 2013 Feb;35(2):E60-3.

Thankappan K. Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx-A systematic review. Auris Nasus Larynx. 2012 Aug;39(4):397-401.

Thankappan K., Kuriakose M.A., Chatni S.S., Sharan R., Trivedi N.P., Vijayaraghavan S., Sharma M., Iyer S. Lateral arm free flap for oral tongue reconstruction: an analysis of surgical details, morbidity, and functional and aesthetic outcome. Ann Plast Surg. 2011 Mar;66(3):261-6.

Thankappan K., Duarah S., Trivedi N.P., Panikar D., Kuriakose M.A., Iyer S. Vascularised fibula osteocutaneous flap for cervical spinal and posterior pharyngeal wall reconstruction. Indian J Plast Surg. 2009 Jul;42(2):252-4.

Thankappan K., Trivedi N.P., Sharma M., Kuriakose M.A., Iyer S. Free radial forearm adiposo-fascial flap for inferior maxillectomy defect reconstruction. Indian J Plast Surg. 2009 Jan-Jun;42(1):100-3.

Rigual N.R., Thankappan K., Cooper M., Sullivan M.A., Dougherty T., Popat S.R., Loree  T.R., Biel M.A., Henderson B. Photodynamic therapy for head and neck dysplasia and cancer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2009 Aug;135(8):784-8.

Thankappan K. Microvascular free tissue transfer after prior radiotherapy in head and neck reconstruction – a review. Surg Oncol. 2010 Dec;19(4):227-34.

Thankappan K. Comment on “Management of clinically negative neck for the patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas in the modern era” (Bar Ad V, Chalian A. Oral Oncol 2008;44:817-22). Oral Oncol. 2009 Feb;45(2):192.

Thankappan K., Sharan R., Iyer S., Kuriakose M.A. Esthetic and anatomic basis of modified lateral rhinotomy approach. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2009 Jan;67(1):231-4.

Trivedi N.P., Swaminathan D.K., Thankappan K., Chatni S., Kuriakose M.A., Iyer S. Comparison of quality of life in advanced laryngeal cancer patients after concurrent chemoradiotherapy vs total laryngectomy. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008 Nov;139(5):702-7.

Thankappan K., Trivedi N.P., Subash P., Pullara S.K., Peter S., Kuriakose M.A., Iyer S. Three-dimensional computed tomography-based contouring of a free fibula bone graft for mandibular reconstruction. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2008 Oct;66(10):2185-92.

Chatni S.S., Thankappan K. Lymph node status cannot be ignored in survival analysis of laryngeal cancer. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008 Jul;134(7):786; author reply 786-7.

Duarah S., Thankappan K., Sharan R., Kekatpure V. In reference to classification and management of tracheoesophageal and tracheopharyngeal fistulas after laryngectomy. Laryngoscope. 2008 May;118(5):944.

Thankappan K. Recommended organ preservation strategy for T2 unfavorable glottis cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Feb 20;25(6):735-6.

Trivedi N.P., Patel D., Thankappan K., Iyer S., Kuriakose M.A. Stomaplasty-anterior advancement flap and lateral splaying of trachea, a simple and effective technique. J Postgrad Med. 2008 Jan- Mar; 54(1):21-4.

Thankappan K., S. V. Rugmini, R. F. Cohen, B. Sunil, J. Samuel, T. K. Padmanabhan, K. Pavithran, K. R. Sundaram, S. Iyer, M. A. Kuriakose. Prognostic factors of concurrent chemo-radiotherapy in head and neck cancers. (Abstract) Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2007 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings Part I. Vol 25, No. 18S (June 20 Supplement), 2007: 16527.

R. Veeraraghavan, M. Abraham Kuriakose, S. Iyer, T. Krishnakumar, L. Rao, P. Ushas 3D CT-based contouring of free fibula bone graft for mandibular reconstruction (Abstract) International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Volume 36, Issue 11, Pages 1107-1107.

Thankappan K., Sardesai R.B. Malignant Otitis Externa – Our Experience. The Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Vol.54, No. 2,April – June 2002.

Srivatsan A., Wang Y., Joshi P., Sajjad M., Chen Y., Liu C., Thankappan K., Missert J.R., Tracy E., Morgan J., Rigual N., Baumann H., Pandey R.K. In vitro cellular uptake and dimerization of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) identify the photosensitizing and imaging-potential of isomeric photosensitizers derived from chlorophyll-a and bacteriochlorophyll-a. J Med Chem. 2011 Oct 13;54(19):6859-73.