Dr Arun Kanala
Senior Consultant Thoracic Surgeon
Standing tall in these challenging scenarios is Dr Arun Kanala, one of the most experienced Senior Consultant thoracic Surgeons residing in Continental Hospitals, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, who has pledged his medical career to the cause of making world-class thoracic surgery accessible to all classes of people. With more than two decades of experience, he has mastered complex surgical techniques but has redefined the accessibility of advanced care in India.
A proud member of the Indian Medical Association, Dr Arun Kanala specializes in a wide range of thoracic surgeries, including lung cancer resections, mediastinal tumor removals, tracheal surgeries, and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery.
His practice encompasses open and minimally invasive procedures such as lobectomy, pneumonectomy, decortication, thymectomy, and complex chest wall reconstructions, all performed with the utmost precision and compassion. “Every patient deserves the same level of care, whether they come from a corporate hospital or a small-town clinic. My role is to bridge that gap”, says Dr Arun Kanala.
A Journey of Excellence & Purpose
Dr Arun Kanala’s medical journey is a blend of academic rigor, clinical excellence, and deep humanistic values. He secured his MBBS from Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal, before moving on to receive his MS and MCh in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad. His stint as Associate Professor at the prestigious Gandhi Hospital, Secunderabad, was filled with active and meaningful contributions to surgical education and patient care.
Guided by a burning desire to excel in thoracic surgery, he went on to pursue a prestigious twoyear Fellowship in Thoracic Surgical Oncology at Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. During this period, he was under the tutelage of world-renowned thoracic surgeons, namely Dr David J. Sugarbaker, Dr Raphael Bueno, and Dr Scott James Swanson, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, being exposed to state-of-the-art surgical techniques and oncological precision.
This international exposure, together with his extensive practice across India and the Middle East, gave him a rare insight into global standards of thoracic care. Having performed over 2,000 successful surgeries to his credit, the expertise of Dr Arun Kanala encompasses complex lung resections, airway reconstructions, mediastinal tumor excisions, and TB-related thoracic interventions.
He has also been instrumental in popularizing VATS and uniportal thoracoscopic surgeries in India to offer patients faster recovery, reduced pain, and minimal scarring. “Surgery, to me, is not just about removing disease, it’s about restoring hope, dignity, and quality of life”, Dr Arun reflects.
Mastering Modern Surgical Innovations with a Human Touch
Dr Arun Kanala’s practice represents the perfect fusion of innovation and empathy. The integration of robotic, laparoscopic, and video-assisted techniques has transformed his surgical approach, enabling him to achieve precision with least invasiveness. His adoption of uniportal VATS-a technique where the whole surgery is performed through single small incision-represents a quantum leap toward patient comfort and quick rehabilitation. Trained in robotic surgery in Singapore and advanced thoracoscopic procedures in the United States, he continues to update his skills by active participation in global medical conferences and workshops.
He has a committed team of anesthetists, nurses, and surgical assistants. His long-time colleague, Dr G. Ravendra, Prof. & HOD, Gandhi Hospital has shared two decades of seamless coordination. Every procedure begins with planning that includes preoperative discussion with anesthetists, assurance of OT readiness, blood arrangements, and postoperative ICU management.
Whether in large tertiary centers such as Continental Hospitals or in mid-sized institutions, his priority remains the same patient-centered and ethical care delivered through transparent communication and clinical excellence. His ability to balance advanced surgical technology with affordability has made him a trusted name for thoracic surgery in Hyderabad and beyond.
Future Vision
Dr Arun Kanala envisions a future where advanced thoracic surgeries are no longer confined to corporate hospitals but available across smaller and mid-level healthcare facilities throughout India. He has already shown that highquality thoracic care can be given at almost half the cost by introducing minimally invasive procedures in 30 to 50-bedded hospitals.
He wants to create a pan-India network for these services, extending them to tier-two and tier-three cities so that rural and semi-urban people can access modern surgical options without having to travel to distant cities. This is reflected in his ongoing efforts at knowledge sharing and mentorship through training young surgeons in VATS and thoracoscopic techniques at Osmania Medical College. His vision is not just to heal but to build a stronger, more inclusive healthcare ecosystem-one that speaks to excellence with empathy.
In every incision lies a responsibility to heal with precision, to act with integrity, and to care without condition
This international exposure, together with his extensive practice across India and the Middle East, gave him a rare insight into global standards of thoracic care. Having performed over 2,000 successful surgeries to his credit, the expertise of Dr Arun Kanala encompasses complex lung resections, airway reconstructions, mediastinal tumor excisions, and TB-related thoracic interventions.
He has also been instrumental in popularizing VATS and uniportal thoracoscopic surgeries in India to offer patients faster recovery, reduced pain, and minimal scarring. “Surgery, to me, is not just about removing disease, it’s about restoring hope, dignity, and quality of life”, Dr Arun reflects.
Mastering Modern Surgical Innovations with a Human Touch
Dr Arun Kanala’s practice represents the perfect fusion of innovation and empathy. The integration of robotic, laparoscopic, and video-assisted techniques has transformed his surgical approach, enabling him to achieve precision with least invasiveness. His adoption of uniportal VATS-a technique where the whole surgery is performed through single small incision-represents a quantum leap toward patient comfort and quick rehabilitation. Trained in robotic surgery in Singapore and advanced thoracoscopic procedures in the United States, he continues to update his skills by active participation in global medical conferences and workshops.
He has a committed team of anesthetists, nurses, and surgical assistants. His long-time colleague, Dr G. Ravendra, Prof. & HOD, Gandhi Hospital has shared two decades of seamless coordination. Every procedure begins with planning that includes preoperative discussion with anesthetists, assurance of OT readiness, blood arrangements, and postoperative ICU management.
Whether in large tertiary centers such as Continental Hospitals or in mid-sized institutions, his priority remains the same patient-centered and ethical care delivered through transparent communication and clinical excellence. His ability to balance advanced surgical technology with affordability has made him a trusted name for thoracic surgery in Hyderabad and beyond.
Future Vision
Dr Arun Kanala envisions a future where advanced thoracic surgeries are no longer confined to corporate hospitals but available across smaller and mid-level healthcare facilities throughout India. He has already shown that highquality thoracic care can be given at almost half the cost by introducing minimally invasive procedures in 30 to 50-bedded hospitals.
He wants to create a pan-India network for these services, extending them to tier-two and tier-three cities so that rural and semi-urban people can access modern surgical options without having to travel to distant cities. This is reflected in his ongoing efforts at knowledge sharing and mentorship through training young surgeons in VATS and thoracoscopic techniques at Osmania Medical College. His vision is not just to heal but to build a stronger, more inclusive healthcare ecosystem-one that speaks to excellence with empathy.
