Dr. Norberto Santana Rodríguez

Chair of Thoracic Surgery
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Dr. Norberto Santana Rodríguez, MD, PhD, FEBTS, MBBS, is the Chair of the Thoracic Surgery Division at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Santana is a European Board Certified Thoracic Surgeon providing exceptional and specialized care focused on patient safety and leadership roles in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy, lung transplant, hospital management and translational research. He possesses excellent clinical expertise in thoracic oncology, thoracic trauma, thoracic infectious diseases, emphysema, pneumothorax, chest wall deformities, hyperhidrosis, diaphragmatic paralysis, airway diseases, esophageal tumors, lung transplantation and 3D imaging for personalized surgery. Dr. Santana is recognized for his ability to implement and perform pre-operative assessments and postoperative care of thoracic surgery patients. Dr. Santana performs minimally invasive thoracic surgery through uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (UVATS), perimammary uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (PUVATS), a novel approach described by him, and robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS). Furthermore, he has developed multiple innovations in the surgical field, having set 2 international patents. Dr. Santana has published more than 60 research papers, directed 8 doctoral theses, and participated as a speaker in multiple international conferences.

Doctor can help with

  • Minimally invasive lung sparing resections in patients with lung tumors to preserve lung function
  • Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC) for mesothelioma and other malignant pleural diseases
  • Minimally invasive surgery for infection of the pleural cavity (empyema)
  • Minimally invasive surgery for infectious diseases of the lung (tuberculosis, hydatid cyst, aspergilloma
  • Minimally invasive resection of chest wall tumors
  • Thoracic trauma
  • Application of non-invasive ultrasound therapy for patients with rib fractures, a novel technique described by him
  • Minimally invasive surgery for patients with emphysema
  • Minimally invasive removal of mediastinal tumors
  • Minimally invasive surgery for airway diseases
  • Minimally invasive surgery for esophageal tumors
  • Scarless minimally invasive sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
  • Vascular stent for the removal of advanced malignant tumors invading major thoracic vessels
  • Lung transplantation

Memberships

  • Member - International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS)
  • Member - Cardiothoracic Surgery Network (CTSnet)
  • Member - European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS)
  • Member - Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery (SECT)

Licences and certifications

  • Licensed, The Spanish Medical Colleges Organization
  • Licensed, Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS)
  • Licensed, Department of Health (DOH)

Training and work experience

  • Chair, Thoracic Surgery Division

    Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), Abu Dhabi

  • Head of Thoracic Surgery & Lung Transplant

    King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Saudi Arabia

  • Professor of Surgery

    Alfaisal University, Saudi Arabia

  • Senior Consultant, Thoracic Surgery

    Ruber Hospital, Spain

  • Research Associate, Department of Thoracic Surgery

    Mount Sinai West Hospital, USA

  • Consultant Thoracic Surgery - Head of Experimental Surgery and Co-Director of the Research Strategic Program

    University Hospital of Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Canary Health Service, Spain

  • Consultant, Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplantation

    Puerta de Hierro Hospital, Spain

  • Consultant, Thoracic Surgery

    Sagrat Cor and Tecknon Hospitals, Spain

  • Consultant, Cardiac Surgery

    University Hospital of Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Canary Health Service, Spain

  • Consultant, Thoracic Surgery

    University Hospital Nuestra Señora Del Pino, Canary Health Service, Spain

Education

  • Master in Hospital Management (MA)

    University of Alcalá de Henares, Spain
  • University Expert in Anti-aging Medicine

    University of Sevilla, Spain
  • Doctorate in Medicine (MD)

    University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
  • Specialty, Thoracic Surgery

    Spanish Ministry of Health
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

    University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

Awards and recognitions

  • Science Award 2022

    Cabildo Insular de Gran Canaria, Spain
  • First award Poster Presentation

    14th Annual Residents Research Day, KFSH&RC, KSA
  • First place prize case report presentation

    3rd Annual King Saud University Medical Student Council Research forum, KSA
  • Best Presentation Caralps - Massó Award

    IX National Congress of Spanish Thoracic Society, Spain
  • First Award – Best presentation

    V International Congress of AEPROMO, Spain
  • Best Presentation Caralps - Massó Award

    V National Congress of Spanish Thoracic Society, Spain
  • First Award - Experimental Research Annual Award

    University Hospital Dr. Negrín, Spain
  • First Award - Best Communication

    XV Canary Association of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery, Spain
  • First award

    XII National Medicine Student Congress, Spain
  • Honor Fellow

    Cabildo Insular de Gran Canaria, Spain
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