Dr Pai’s special areas of interest and expertise are in the use of laparoscopic and robotic surgery for stomach, colorectal and esophageal cancers and extensive resections for large and recurrent cancers affecting multiple organs in the abdomen [multivisceral resections]. Surgery for retroperitoneal sarcomas, which involves complex planning and removal and replacement of critical vessels such as the venacava and aorta is an area he has developed a niche specialization in. The use of chemotherapy during surgery for stomach, colorectal and appendicular cancers in the form of HIPEC and PIPAC is also a core area of expertise.

He has published extensively in peer-reviewed international journals, presented at international conferences and has authored several book chapters. His active areas of research are in the long-term outcomes of robot-assisted surgery for rectal cancer, minimally invasive surgery for liver and pancreatic cancers and the use of regional chemotherapy to treat cancers that have spread to the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal cancers) and newer modalities such as Hepatic arterial infusional therapy for colorectal liver metastases.

Dr Pai has been practising as a private consultant for the past 12 years and is currently associated with the internationally renowned Apollo Proton Cancer Center and Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, India.