The Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Department of Surgery
photo courtesy LBJ

Faculty Biography

Department of Surgery,
Division of Acute Care Surgery,
Trauma and Critical Care


Lillian S. Kao, MD, MS, FACS

Associate Professor of Surgery

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Education

UNDERGRADUATE

1989-1993 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Integrated Premedical-Medical Program
Bachelor of Science – Biomedical Sciences
Magna Cum Laude

GRADUATE

1992-1996 University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor
Integrated Premedical-Medical Program
Doctorate in Medicine

2002-2006 University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Masters of Science in Clinical Research

POSTGRADUATE TRAINING:

1996-1997 Intern in General Surgery
University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington

1997-2001 Resident in General Surgery
University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington

2001-2002 Senior Gastrointestinal Surgical Fellow
University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington

2006-2007 Critical Care Fellow
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS:

2001-2002 Acting Instructor
University of Washington Medical Center
2002-2007 Assistant Professor
University of Texas-Houston Medical School
2007-present Associate Professor
University of Texas-Houston Medical School
2007-present Faculty
Center for Clinical Research and Evidence-Based Medicine
University of Texas-Houston Medical School

HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS:

2001-2002 Active Staff, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
2001-2002 Consulting Staff, VA Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
2002-present Active Staff, Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital, Houston, Texas
2005-present Active Staff, Hermann Memorial Hospital, Houston, Texas
2007-present Vice-Chief of Surgery at Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital, Houston, Texas
2007-present Director of Surgical Critical Care, Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital, Houston, Texas

LICENSURE:

Washington (MD00039617) -- Inactive
Texas (L6083) – Active

CERTIFICATIONS:

American Board of Surgery #47359 (2002)
American Board of Surgery: Surgical Critical Care (2007)
Advanced Cardiac Life Support Re-certification (2006)
Advanced Trauma and Life Support Certification (1997)
Re-certification 2002, 2007

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

LOCAL:

2001-present Harkins Medical Society (Seattle, Washington)
2006-present Houston Surgical Society

REGIONAL:

2003-present Southwestern Surgical Society

NATIONAL:

2001-2004 American College of Surgeons, Associate Fellow
2004-present American College of Surgeons, Fellow
2002-present Association for Academic Surgery
2007-present - Education Committee
2002-present Association for Surgical Education
2003-present Surgical Infection Society
2007-present - Membership Committee
2005-present Shock Society
2006-present Society of Critical Care Medicine

INTERNATIONAL:

2005-present Cochrane Wounds Group

EDITORIAL POSITIONS:

2004-present Ad hoc Reviewer
Journal of Surgical Research

2005-present Editorial Review Board
Journal of Surgical Research

HONORS AND AWARDS:

1995 Alpha Omega Alpha
1996 Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Achievement Citation
2003 Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award
2004 Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award
2004 Surgical Infection Society Foundation for Research and Education Junior Faculty Fellowship Award
2005 Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award
2006 Robert Wood Johnson Physician Faculty Scholar Award
2006 Best Poster at the Southwestern Surgical Congress Meeting
2006 Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award
2007 Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award

SERVICE ON COMMITTEES

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-HOUSTON MEDICAL SCHOOL

2002-present Ad hoc interviewer, Admissions Committee
2003-2005 Faculty Senate, First Term
2005-2006 Faculty Senate, Second Term
2003-2006 Clinical Course Directors
2002-present Department of Surgery Educational Advisory Committee
2003-2005 Surgical Education Research Committee
2002-2006 Department of Surgery Medical Student Curriculum Sub-Committee
2005-2006 Curriculum Committee

UT-HMS AFFILIATED HOSPITALS:

2002-2006 LBJ Trauma Committee
2003-2006 LBJ Operating Room Committee
2003-2006 Infection Control Committee – Harris County Hospital District
2003-2006 LBJ Infection Control Committee
2006-2007 Memorial Hermann Hospital Glycemia Task Force
2006-present Memorial Hermann Hospital Trauma Guidelines Committee
2007-present HCHD Critical Care Committee

INTRAMURAL TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES

2003-2006 Associate Director, Surgical Education
2002-2006 Third and Fourth Year Surgery Clerkship Coordinator at LBJ General Hospital
2005-2006 Co-Course Director, Clinical Trials Course, Clinical Research Curriculum
2006-2007 Facilitator, Literature Appraisal Course, Clinical Research Curriculum
2007-2008 Co-Course Director, Clinical Trials Course, Clinical Research Curriculum

EXTRAMURAL TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES

September 2005 Facilitator, Practicing and Teaching Evidence Based Health Care: An Intensive Workshop. UT/MDACC jointly sponsored.

September 2006 Facilitator, Practicing and Teaching Evidence Based Health Care: An Intensive Workshop. UT/MDACC jointly sponsored.

GRANT SUPPORT

CURRENT GRANT SUPPORT

2006-2009 “Prevention of Surgical Site Infections” (PI: Kao)
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Physician Faculty Scholars Program
July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2009 -- $300,000

2006-2011 “Studies on Hyperglycemia in Surgical Infections” (PI: Kao)
NIH K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award Resubmission (1 K23 RR020020-01 A1)
July 1, 2006—June 30, 2011 – $674,470

2006-2007 “Studies on Hyperglycemia in Surgical Infections” (PI: Kao)
Intramural supplemental K23 award
$25,000

2006-present “Tigecycline vs. Ceftriaxone Sodium and Metronidazole for Intra-abdominal Infection” (co-PI: Kao from August 1, 2006-May 9, 2007; PI: Kao from May 2007-present)
$95,647.50

PENDING GRANT SUPPORT

2007 The Technologies for Metabolic Monitoring (TMM)/
Julia Weaver Fund (PI: Wolf, San Antonio; Co-Investigator: Kao)
A Congressionally Directed Program Jointly Managed by the USA MRMC, NIH, NASA, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

SUBMITTED GRANT SUPPORT

2007 “Barriers to the Implementation of Intensive Insulin Treatment in Critically Ill Patients” (PI: Kao)
Society of Critical Care Medicine Vision Grant
January 1, 2008-December 31, 2008 -- $50,000 (Submitted: September 1, 2007)

2007 “Economics and Healthcare Acquired Infection” (PI: Graves)
Consultant: Kao
NIH R01 Submission

PAST GRANT SUPPORT

2004 “Studies on Hyperglycemia in Surgical Infections” (PI: Kao)
Surgical Infection Society Foundation for Research and Education Junior Faculty Fellowship Award
July 1, 2004-June 30, 2005 -- $40,000

Summer 2003 “The Impact of Hyperglycemia on Outcome in Patients with Surgical Soft Tissue Infections” (PI: Kao, Student: Matthew Knight)
UT Houston Summer Research Program – $3,672.00

2002-2003 “Randomized, Open-label, Comparative Study of Zosyn (Piperacillin/Tazobactam) Administered by Daily 24 Hour Continuous Infusion vs. Zosyn q6 Hours for the Treatment of Hospitalized Patients with Complicated Intra-Abdominal Infections” (Co-Investigator)
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals -- $55,000

PUBLICATIONS:

Abstracts
  1. Kao LS, Yeung RS, Byrd D, Sinanan MN: Role of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for isolated colorectal metastases. (Pacific Coast Surgical 2002)
  2. Kao LS, Bulger EM, Jurkovich GJ: Predictors of morbidity following traumatic pancreatic injury. (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma 2002)
  3. Kao LS, Flowers C, Flum DR: Should cholecystectomy be performed for asymptomatic cholelithiasis in transplant patients: a decision analysis. (Surgical Forum, American College of Surgeons 2003)
  4. Kao LS, Wilson EB, Anderson K. Gender differences in decision-making amongst spouses of surgeons. (Association of Program Directors of Surgery 2004)
  5. Kao LS, Knight MT, Lally KP, Mercer DW. The impact of diabetes on outcome in patients with necrotizing soft tissue infections. (Surgical Infection Society 2004)
  6. Kao LS, Francis D, Anderson KD, Wilson EB. Incorporation of simulation into a medical student curriculum increases student interest in surgery. (Association for Surgical Education 2005)
  7. Anaya DA, Bulger EM, Kwon YS, Kao LS, Nathens AB. Predicting mortality in necrotizing soft tissue infections: a clinical score. (Surgical Infection Society 2005)
  8. Kao LS, Kennison SD, Suliburk JW, Mercer DW. Insulin potentiates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hypoglycemia and inflammatory response. (Shock 2005)
  9. Kao LS, Adams SD, Suliburk JW, Mercer DW. Insulin potentiates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in hypoglycemic rats. (Association for Academic Surgery 2006)
  10. Kao LS, Green C, Todd SR, Moore FA. Do initial glucose trends predict mortality in critically ill trauma patients? A growth mixture model analysis. (Shock 2006)
  11. Todd SR, Catania A, Kao LS, Mercer DW, Adams SD, Moore FA. Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone in critically injured trauma patients. (Association for Academic Surgery 2007) JSR 2007; 137:343.
  12. Kozar RA, Kao LS, Miller CC, Schenarts KD. Preclinical predictors of surgery shelf exam performance. (Association for Academic Surgery 2007) JSR 2007; 137: 159.
Peer-Reviewed Articles in Journals
  1. Kao LS, Nguyen T, Dominitz J, Teicher HL, Kearney DJ. Modification of a latex glove for the safe endoscopic removal of a sharp gastric foreign body. Gastrointest Endosc 2000; 52(1): 127-129.
  2. Horvath KD, Kao LS, Ali A, Wherry KL, Pellegrini CA, Sinanan MN. Laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous drainage of infected pancreatic necrosis. Surg Endosc 2001; 15(7): 677-82.
  3. Horvath KD, Kao LS, Wherry KL, Pellegrini CA, Sinanan MN. A technique for laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous drainge of infected pancreatic necrosis and pancreatic abscess. Surg Endosc 2001; 15(10): 1221-5.
  4. Kao LS, Aaron BC, Dellinger EP. Trials and tribulations: current challenges in conducting clinical trials. Arch Surg 2003; 138(1): 59-62.
  5. Kao LS, Kuhr CS, Flum DR. Collective Review: Should cholecystectomy be performed for asymptomatic cholelithiasis in transplant patients? JACS 2003; 197(2): 302-312.
  6. Kao LS, Bulger EM, Parks DL, Byrd GF, Jurkovich GJ. Predictors of morbidity following traumatic pancreatic injury. J Trauma 2003; 55(5): 898-905.
  7. West SD, Robinson EK, Delu AN, Ligon RE, Kao LS, Mercer DW. Diverticulitis in the younger patient. Am J Surg 2003; 186(6): 743-746.
  8. Kao LS, Wilson EB, Anderson KD. Gender differences amongst spouses of surgeons. Am J Surg 2005; 189(4): 435:440.
  9. Kao LS, Wilson EB, Anderson KD. Perceptions and predictors of surgeon satisfaction: a survey of spouses of academic surgeons. JACS 2005; 200(5): 684-690.
  10. Kao LS, Flowers C, Flum DR. Prophylactic cholecystectomy in transplant patients: a decision analysis. Journal Gastrointest Surg. 2005; 9(7):965-972.
  11. Kao LS, Knight MT, Lally KP, Mercer DW. The impact of diabetes in patients with necrotizing soft tissue infections. Surg Infect. 2005; 6(4): 427-438.
  12. Robinson EK, Seaworth CM, Suliburk JW, Adams SD, Kao LS, Mercer DW. Effect of NOS inhibition on rat gastric matrix metalloproteinase production during endotoxemia. Shock. 2006; 25(5): 507-14.
  13. Kao LS, Morris BH, Lally KP, Stewart CD, Huseby V, Kennedy KA. The effect of hyperglycemia on outcome in extremely low birth weight infants. J Perinatol 2006; 26(12): 730-6.
  14. Agle SC, Kao LS, Moore FA, Gonzalez EA, Vercruysse GA, Todd SR. Early predictors of prolonged mechanical ventilation in major torso trauma patients who require resuscitation. Am J Surg 2006; 192(6): 822-7.
  15. Todd SR, Holcomb JB, Kozar RA, Kao LS, McNally MM, Gonzalez EA, Cocanour CS, Vercruysse GA, Lygas MH, Brasseaux BK, Moore FA. A multidisciplinary clinical pathway decreases rib fracture associated infectious morbidity and mortality in high-risk trauma patients. Am J Surg 2006; 192(6): 806-11.
  16. Kao LS, Todd SR, Moore FA. The impact of diabetes on outcome in traumatically injured patients: an analysis of the 2004 National Trauma Data Bank. Am J Surg 2006; 192(6): 710-4.
  17. Yu S, Jastrow K, Clapp B, Kao L, Klein C, Scarborough T, Wilson E. Foreign material erosion after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: findings and treatment. Surg Endosc 2007; [Epub ahead of print]
  18. Kozar RA, Kao LS, Miller CC, Schenarts KD. Preclinical predictors of surgery shelf exam performance. JSR 2007; 140(2): 204-7.
  19. Kao LS, Thomas EJ. Navigating towards improved patient safety using aviation-based strategies. JSR 2007 May 1 [Epub ahead of print]
  20. Kao LS, Green C. Analysis of Variance: Is there a difference and what does the difference mean? JSR 2007. [Epub ahead of print]
  21. Kao LS, Tyson JE, Blakely ML, Lally KP. Clinical Research Methodology I: Introduction to Randomized Trials. JACS (In press.)
  22. Todd SR, Kao LS, Catania A, Mercer DW, Adams SD, Moore FA. Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone in critically injured trauma patients. (In press)
  23. Suliburk JW, Kao LS, Kozar RA, Mercer DW. Training our future surgical scientists: a review of the literature and some recommendations. Ann Surg (In press)
  24. Meeks DW, Kao LS. Controversies in appendicitis. Surg Infect. (In press)
  25. Anaya DA, Bulger EM, Kwon YS, Kao LS, Nathens AB. Predicting mortality in necrotizing soft tissue infections: a clinical score. Surg Infect. (Submitted)
Non Peer-Reviewed Article in Journal

1. Kao LS, Moore FA. Nutritional support in the intensive care unit: importance and mechanisms of glucose management. Contemp Surg 2006; Sept Supp:21-26.

Chapters
  1. Kao LS. Traumatic Lung Hernia. In Thoracic Trauma and Critical Care. Karmy-Jones, Nathens, Stern, Editors. 2002 Kulwer.
  2. Kao LS: Diverticulitis. In Case Files in General Surgery. Toy EC, Liu TH, editors. 2003 McGraw-Hill Inc.
  3. Kao LS: Gastroesophageal reflux disease. In Case Files in General Surgery. Toy EC, Liu TH, editors. 2003 McGraw-Hill Inc.
  4. Kao LS: Diverticulitis. In Case Files in General Surgery: Second Edition. Toy EC, Liu TH, Campbell AR, editors. 2006. McGraw-Hill Inc.
  5. Kao LS: Gastroesophageal reflux disease. In Case Files in General Surgery: Second Edition. Toy EC, Liu TH, Campbell AR, editors. 2006. McGraw-Hill Inc.
  6. Sinanan MS, Kao LS, Vedovatti PA. Surgery in the Elderly Population. In Principles of Geriatric Medicine & Gerontology. Hazzard et al, Editors. 2003 McGraw-Hill.
  7. Kao LS, Nathens AB. Trauma. In Source Control. Schein M and Marshall JC, Editors. 2003 Springer-Verlag.
  8. Kao LS, Liu TH. Calculous Disease of the Gallbladder and Common Bile Duct. In Modern Surgical Care: Physiologic Foundations and Clinical Applications, Third Edition. Miller, editor. Marcel Dekker, Inc (In press).
  9. Kao LS. Error Analysis in Minimally Invasive Surgery Training. In Minimally Invasive Surgery Training – State of the Art: An Electronic Book. Park, Witzke, editors. (In press).
Books

1. Kao LS. Pre-Test Surgery. Eleventh Edition. 2006 McGraw-Hill.

Presentations

  1. “Acute echinococcal cyst disease of the liver” Seattle Surgical Society, 2000, Seattle, WA.
  2. “Laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous drainge of infected pancreatic fluid collections” Washington Chapter of American College of Surgeons, 2000, Lake Chelan, WA.
  3. “The Surgical Treatment of Constipation” University of Washington Department of Surgery Grand Rounds, 2000.
  4. “The impact of complications of traumatic pancreatic injury” Washington Chapter of American College of Surgeons, 2001, Skamania, WA.
  5. “Hepatic pseudoaneurysm after radiofrequency ablation of liver metastases: a case report” Washington Chapter of American College of Surgeons, 2001, Skamania, WA.
  6. “Sacrectomy for recurrent colorectal cancer” Northwest Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, 2001, Sun Valley, ID.
  7. “Non-resectional Therapies for the Treatment of Primary and Metastatic Liver Tumors” What’s New in General Surgery, The Henry N. Harkins Surgical Symposium, 2001, Seattle, WA.
  8. “Sclerosing pancreatitis presenting as a pancreatic mass: a case report and a review of the literature” Seattle Surgical Society, 2002, Seattle, WA.
  9. “Predictors of morbidity in pancreatic trauma” Seattle Surgical Society, 2002, Seattle, WA.
  10. “Is prophylactic cholecystectomy indicated in the cardiac transplant patient?” Washington Chapter of American College of Surgeons, 2002,Lake Chelan, WA.
  11. “Radiofrequency ablation as a bridge to transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma” Washington Chapter of American College of Surgeons, 2002, Lake Chelan, WA.
  12. “Hepatic Anatomy and Ultrasound” Ultrasound-Guided RFA for Liver Tumors Course, 2002, Seattle, WA.
  13. “Surgical Simulation” UT-HSC Department of Surgery Grand Rounds, 2003.
  14. “Hyperglycemia in Surgical Patients” UT-HSC Department of Urology Grand Rounds, 2004.
  15. “Hyperglycemia and Surgical Outcome” UT-HSC Department of Surgery Grand Rounds, 2004.
  16. “Critical Appraisal of the Literature: A Practical Guide to EBM for Surgeons” UT-HSC Department of Surgery Grand Rounds, 2005.
  17. “Critical Appraisal of the Literature: A Practical Guide to EBM for Surgeons” UT-HSC Department of Surgery Grand Rounds, 2006.
  18. “Education Research” Fundamentals of Surgical Research Course, Chicago, Illinois, 2006.
  19. “Controversies in Appendicitis” Surgical Infection Society, Toronto, Canada, 2007.
  20. “Statistics for the In-Training Exam” UT-HSC Department of Anesthesiology Teaching Rounds, 2007.
  21. . “Should hyperglycemia or glucose variability be the endpoint for intensive insulin treatment?” Conference for the Development of Closed-Loop Control of Intensive Insulin Treatment (IIT) in the Care of the Critically Injured Patient, sponsored by USA MRMC, NIH, NASA, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 2007, Bethesda, MD.
  22. “Critical Care” American College of Surgeons General Surgery Review Course, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2007.
Video

1. Kao LS, Horvath KD, Wherry KL, Pellegrini CA, Sinanan MN: Laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous drainage of infected pancreatic fluid collections. Video was presented at the SAGES annual meeting. St. Louis, MO. April 2001.

Contact Information

Lillian S. Kao, MD, MS, FACS
  • Lillian S. Kao, MD, MS, FACS

  • Associate Professor of Surgery

  • Department of Surgery

  • The University of Texas Medical School at Houston
    5656 Kelley
    Houston, TX 77026

  • phone: (713) 566-5095
    fax: 713-566-4583
    e-mail: Lillian.S.Kao@uth.tmc.edu