Karim Sami Trad, MD| General Surgery | MedStar Health

Karim Sami Trad, MD
Provider is directly employed by MedStar Health

5.0 out of 5 (448 reviews)

Specialties: General Surgery

Languages: Arabic, French, English

(703) 435-3390

About me

Dr. Trad is a fellowship-trained, board-certified surgeon with more than 25 years’ experience. He specializes in treating conditions that affect the abdominal wall and gastrointestinal tract, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal and paraesophageal hernias, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), gallbladder disease, ventral, incisional, inguinal, and femoral hernias and recurrences.

His areas of special expertise include robotic repair of hiatal hernias, paraesophageal hernias, and totally intrathoracic stomach (a condition related to hiatal hernia where part of the stomach protrudes through a hole into the diaphragm), robotic resection of GISTs, robotic gall bladder removal, robotic repair of ventral, incisional, inguinal, and femoral hernias.

Dr. Trad’s philosophy of care is simple--the best way to care for patients is to care about patients. He believes in providing the highest quality surgical care and only operates when it is truly indicated.

Dr. Trad is an active researcher and has served as principal investigator on numerous trials. He has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals including Surgical Endoscopy, Gastroenterology, and Endoscopy. He also has been an invited lecturer and presented at national and international conferences and meetings.

When he’s not working, Dr. Trad enjoys spending time with his six children, traveling, sailing, and skiing.

Dr. Trad is fluent in English, French, and Arabic.

Clinical areas of focus

  • Cholecystectomy
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Surgery
  • Hernia Repair
  • Incisional Hernia
  • Inguinal Hernia Repair
  • Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
  • Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Paraesophageal Hernia
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Conditions and procedures

Conditions I treat

  • Abdominal Adhesions
  • Abdominal Wall Defect
  • Abdominal Wall Hernia
  • Adhesions
  • Adult Onset Diaphragmatic Hernia
  • Appendiceal Abscess
  • Appendicitis
  • Appendix Rupture
  • Biliary Colic
  • Cholecystitis
  • Cholelithiasis
  • Chronic Appendicitis
  • Diaphragmatic Disorders
  • Diaphragmatic Hernia
  • Diastasis
  • Epigastric Hernia
  • Epiploic Appendagitis
  • Femoral Hernia
  • Flank Hernia
  • Gallbladder Disease
  • Gallbladder Fistula
  • Gastric Mass
  • Gastric Volvulus
  • Gastroparesis
  • Groin Mass
  • Groin Pain
  • Hernia
  • Hiatal Hernia
  • Incarcerated Hernia
  • Incisional Hernia
  • Inguinal Hernia
  • Internal Hernia
  • Meckel Diverticulum
  • Paraesophageal Hernia
  • Perforation Of Gallbladder
  • Rectus Sheath Hernia
  • Recurrent Femoral Hernia
  • Recurrent Hernia
  • Reducible Hernia
  • Richter Hernia
  • Small Bowel Cancer
  • Small Bowel Obstruction
  • Spigelian Hernia
  • Umbilical Hernia
  • Umbilical Mass
  • Ventral Hernia
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Procedures I perform

  • Abdominal Hernia Surgery
  • Abdominal Mesh Reconstruction
  • Abdominal Surgery
  • Appendectomy
  • Cholecystectomy
  • Complex Hernia Repair
  • Components Separation
  • Da Vinci
  • Da Vinci Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair
  • Da Vinci Cholecystectomy
  • Da Vinci Hernia Repair
  • Da Vinci Hiatal Hernia Repair
  • Da Vinci Incisional Hernia Repair
  • Da Vinci Inguinal Hernia Repair
  • Da Vinci Ventral Hernia Repair
  • Endoscopic Division Of Adhesions Of Peritoneum
  • Enterectomy
  • Enterolysis
  • Enterorrhaphy
  • Femoral Hernia Surgery
  • Flank Hernia Surgery
  • Fluorescence-Guided Surgery
  • Foregut Surgery
  • Fundoplication
  • Gallbladder Surgery
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Surgery
  • Hernia Repair
  • Hiatal Hernia Repair
  • Incisional Hernia Surgery
  • Inguinal Hernia Mesh Repair
  • Inguinal Hernia Repair
  • Internal Hernia Surgery
  • Laparoscopic Appendectomy
  • Laparoscopic Bowel Resection
  • Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
  • Laparoscopic Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair
  • Laparoscopic Gastric Stimulator Placement
  • Laparoscopic Hernia Repair
  • Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair
  • Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair
  • Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair
  • Laparoscopic Recurrent Hernia Repair
  • Laparoscopic Umbilical Herniorrhaphy
  • Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair
  • Laparoscopy
  • Lysis Of Adhesions
  • Minimally Invasive Hernia Surgery
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Percutaneous Muscle Biopsy
  • Reduction Of Volvulus
  • Robotic Appendectomy
  • Robotic Surgery
  • Robotic Toupet Fundoplication
  • Robotic Umbilical Herniorrhaphy
  • Second Opinion For Surgery
  • Spigelian Hernia Surgery
  • Stomach Tumor Surgery
  • Umbilical Hernia Surgery
  • Ventral Hernia Repair
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Practice locations

Distance from Change LocationEnter your Location

3800 Reservoir Road Northwest
Pasquerilla Health Center 4th Fl
Washington, DC, 20007

202-444-5022

Fax 877-376-2418

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 877-376-2418

1800 Town Center Drive
Suite 218
Reston, VA, 20190

703-435-8000

Fax 703-735-3390

Get Directions

miles away

Fax 703-735-3390

Insurance

MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.

  • List of insurance plans we accept
    • Blue Choice Advantage & Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
    • UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans/ UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans HMO, POS, PPO
    • United Healthcare Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO, GEHA, Compass Rose)
    • UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv/Special Needs Plans
    • UHC Community Plan of MD
    • Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)
    • Medicare Fee for Service
    • Kaiser Virginia Premier
    • Kaiser PermanenteSelect-Added Choice
    • Kaiser Permanente Signature-Added Choice
    • Kaiser Permanente Signature
    • Kaiser Permanente Select
    • Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus (Medicare Supplemental Plan)
    • Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS
    • Kaiser MD Medicaid MCO
    • Cigna HealthSpring Medicare Advantage
    • CFBCBS Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus)
    • CFBCBS EPO
    • Aetna Better Health of Maryland
    • Aetna Innovations: HMO & EPO Plus
    • Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
    • Aetna HMO
    • Open POS II
    • Innovation Health: Open POS Plus
    • Choice POS & Choice POS II
    • Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
    • Open EPO Plus
    • Opoen HMO Option
    • Open HMO
    • Innovation Health: POS
    • Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
    • Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus
    • Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
    • Innovation Health: POS Plus
    • Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
    • Innovation Health: PPO
    • Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
    • Innovation Health: Indemnity
    • Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
    • BlueChoice Open Access
    • CFBCBS Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
    • HealthyBlue PPO
    • CFBSBC Blue Preferred PPO
    • Choice Fund PPO
    • PPO and PPO Plus
    • CIGNA EPO
    • POS OA & OA Plus
    • Network OA
    • CIGNA HMO Open Access (OA)
    • United Healthcare Choice
    • MedStar Select (MedStar Associates' Plan)
    • CFBCBS Maryland Indemnity or PPO
    • Tricare Prime
    • Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
    • United Student Resources
    • United Healthcare Choice Plus
    • MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
    • M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
    • Aetna Student Health Insurance
    • Coventry Health Care of Virginia
    • Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)
    • CIGNA POS/Network POS
    • CIGNA Indemnity
    • FIRST HEALTH
    • Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
    • M.D. IPA (HMO)
    • Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
    • CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
    • CFBCBS Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
    • First Health PPO
    • United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
    • Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
    • CFBCBS BlueChoice HMO
    • Tricare for Life (Medicare Supplemental Plan)
    • Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
    • Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund) Innovation Health: Network Only Plus
    • CFBCBS (NCA) Indemnity
    • Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
    • Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
    • United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
    • CFBCBS Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)

Education

Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, Surgery

Fellowship: Mount Sinai Medical Center-Cleveland (1993)

Residency: George Washington University Hospital (1992)

Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine Office of Enrollment Management (1986)

Awards

  • 2017: Jules Cahan Distinguished Teaching Award, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences 2014-2021: America’s Top Doctors, Castle Connolly 2011-2018: Superdoctors, Washington, DC – Baltimore – Northern Virginia, Washington Post Magazine 2011-2021: Top Doctors, Northern Virginia Magazine 2010-2020: Washington Top DoctorWashingtonian Magazine 2013: SAGES 2013 Recognition of Excellence Award, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons 1995: SAGES 1995 Research Award and Grant, US Surgical Corporation.  Project title: “Comparison of Acid Reduction in Four Laparoscopic Anti-Ulcer Operations”  1994: Finalist, Most Distinguished Faculty Teacher AwardThe George Washington University School of Medicine 1992: Harry B. Zehner Memorial Traveling Fellowship Award, Washington Chapter, American College of Surgeons 1992: Outstanding Resident Award (Selected by the Attending Physicians Association) The George Washington University 1992: Upjohn Achievement Award (Selected by House Officer Peers), Department of Surgery, The George Washington University 1991: Third Place Honors, Surgical Competitive Forum, The Washington Academy of Surgery 1990: First Place, Scientific Paper Competition, Chesapeake Vascular Society 1986: William H. Lee Award, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery Medical University of South Carolina – Charleston, SC

News and publications

Dziki AJ, Korman LY, Harmon JW, Nardi RV, Bank A, Haddad NG, Trad KS, and Fernicola MT.  New animal model for gastric ulcer healing.  Gastroenterology, 98:39,  1990. 



Dziki AJ, Malthaner RA, Harmon JW, Fernicola MT, Trad KS, Fischer BA, Hakki FZ, Schweitzer EJ, and Bass BL.  Treatment of experimental bile esophagitis.  Gastroenterology 98:39, 1990.



Fernicola MT, Harmon JW, Trad KS, Dziki AJ, Richardson CJ, Hakki FZ, Rao JS, and Bass BL.  Adenosine-induces increase in esophageal blood flow are not mediated via cyclooxygenase products.  Gastroenterology, 98:43,  1990. 



Trad KS, Harmon JW, Fernicola MT, Hakki FZ, Rao JS, Dziki AJ and Bass BL.  Evidence for a role of capsaicin-sensitive mucosal afferent nerves in the regulation of esophageal blood flow in rabbits.  Gastroenterology  98:139,  1990.



Trad KS, Fernicola MT, Hakki FZ, Dziki AJ, Harmon JW, and Bass BL.  Modulation of esophageal blood flow:  A local effector function of sensory nerves.  Surgical Forum   41:122-124, 1990.



Dziki AJ, Duncan MD, Harmon JW, Saini N, Malthaner RA, Trad KS, Fenicola MT, Hakki F, Ugarte RM.  Advantages of handsewn over stapled bowel anastamosis.  Dis Colon Rectum 34:442-448, 1991.



Sidawy AN, Trad KS, Sidawy MK, Zeller J, Hayyeri M, DePalma RG. The effect of e-PTFE and vein cuff on the development of outflow intimal hyperplasia. Surgical Forum 42:345, 1991.



Bass BL, Trad KS, Harmon JW, Hakki FZ.  Capsaicin-sensitive nerves médiate esophageal mucosal protection.  Surgery 110(2) :419-26,



Petersen BM, Curcio LD, Trad KS, Harmon JW, Bass BL.  Modulation of Capillary Permeability:  A New Local Effector Function for Esophageal Afferent Nerves.  Gastroenterology 102:146, 1992.



Petersen BM, Curcio LD, Trad KS, Harmon JW, Bass BL.  Visceral Afferent Nerves Mediate Protection Against Acid-Pepsin Injury of the Esophagus.  Gastroenterology 102:147, 1992.



Petersen BM, Curcio LD, Trad KS, Harmon JW, and Bass BL.  Visceral Afferent Nerves Mediate Protection Against Acid-Bile Injury of the Esophagus.  Surgical Forum 43:143, 1992.



Norberto NJ, Sidawy AN, Trad KS, Jones BA, Neville RF, Najjar SF, Sidawy MK, DePalma RG. The protective effect of vein cuffed anastomoses is not mechanical in origin. Journal of Vascular Surgery 21:558-66, 1995.



Brody FJ, Trad KS. Comparison of acid reduction in laparoscopic antiulcer operations. Surgical Endoscopy, 11(2):123-125,1997.



Tsangaris TN, Trad KS, Brody FJ, Jacobs LK, Tsangaris NT, Sackier JM. Endoscopic axillary exploration and sentinel lymphadectomy.  Surgical Endoscopy, 13(1): 43-47, 1999.



Trad KS, Turgeon DG, Deljkich E. Long-term Outcomes after Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication in Patients with GERD and LPR Symptoms. Surgical Endoscopy 26 :650-660, 2012.



Bell  RC, Mavrelis PG, Barnes WE, Dargis D, Carter BJ, Hoddinott KM, Sewell RW, Trad KS, Gill BD, Ihde GM. A Prospective Multicenter Registry of Patients with Chronic Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Receiving Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication. J Am Coll Surg 215(6): 794-809, 2012.



Wilson EK, Trad KS, et al. The Effects of Endoscopic Fundoplication on Chronic GERD Patients: 12 Month Prospective Multicenter Experience. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech; 2014 Feb; 24(1):36-46.



Bell RC, Barnes WE, Carter BJ, Sewell RW, Mavrelis PG, Ihde GM, Hoddinott KM, Fox MA, Gunsberger T, Hausmann MG, Dargis D, Gill BD, Wilson E, Trad KS.  Long Term Outcomes of Endoscopic Fundoplication: 2 Year Results from the Prospective Multicenter U.S. Study. The American Surgeon; Vol.80(11), November 2014, 1093-1105.



Trad KS, et al. Transoral Fundoplication vs. Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy for Treatment of Chronic Gastroesophageal Reflux: Short-term Results From a Multicenter, Randomized, Open Label Clinical Trial. Gastroenterology; May 2013 Vol. 144(5), Supplement 1, Pages S163-S-164.



Bell RC, Trad KS, et al. Univariate and Multivariate Analyses of Preoperative Factors influencing Symptomatic Outcomes of Transoral Fundoplication.  Surgical Endoscopy, October 2014; 28:2949-2858.



Trad KS, et al. Efficacy of Transoral Fundoplication for Treatment of Chronic Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease incompletely controlled with high-dose PPI Therapy: A randomized, multicenter, open label crossover study.  BMC Gastroenterology, October 2014; 6:14(1):174.



Trad KS, et al. Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication Effective in Eliminating GERD Symptoms in Partial Responders to Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy at 6 Months: The TEMPO Randomized Clinical Trial.  Surgical Innovation, February 2015; 22(1): 26–40.



Hunter JG, Kahrilas PJ, Bell RCW, Wilson, EB, Trad KS, et al. Efficacy of Transoral Fundoplication vs Omeprazole for Treatment of Regurgitation in a Randomized Controlled Trial. Gastroenterology, February 2015;148(1):324-33.



Trad KS, et al. Transoral Fundoplication Offers Durable Symptom Control for Chronic GERD: 3-year Report from the TEMPO Randomized Trail with a Crossover Arm.  Surgical Endoscopy, June 2017; 31(6):2498-2508.



Trad KS. Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication: Current Status. Current Opinions in Gastroenterology, July 2016:32(4):338-343.



Gerson,LB, Trad, KS, Lobontiu,A. Efficacy of Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Meta-Analysis.  Gastroenterology, April 2016:150(4):S480.



Trad KS, et al.  The TEMPO Trial at 5 Years: Transoral Fundoplication (TIF 2.0) Is Safe, Durable, and Cost-effective.  Surgical Innovation, April 2018; 25(2):149-157.



Trad KS, Jemsek JG, Trad C, Sparks AD, Marino PJ, Ghidei SK. Usefulness of HIDA scan for the diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis in patients with a history of Lyme disease. Surgical Endoscopy, November 2021; 35(11): 174.



Maselli DB, Abusaleh R, Trad KS, Lopez-Nava G, Turro R, Abu Dayyeh BK. Feasibility of a single endoscopic plication procedure for the treatment of gastro-esophageal disease and obesity (E-Video). Endoscopy, Published online May 2021


Ratings and reviews

  • Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition

    5.0
  • Extent to which the care provider listened to you

    5.0
  • Care provider's discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)

    5.0
  • Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care

    5.0
  • Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries

    5.0
  • Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

    5.0
  • Feb 26, 2024

    It was a great experience.Dr. Karim Trad was very caring, listened to my health ((hernia) issues very carefully,and checked very thoroughly before giving me advice and suggestions for the treatment.He explained all the technical stuff for a layman like me to easily understand.I will surely recommend him to my relatives and friends.

  • Feb 8, 2024

    For one of the few times of my life, I felt truly listened to by the doctor. I felt he sincerely cared about my specific health versus the countless cattle feeling frustrating visits I've had with medical professionals, requiring me wasted time off from work for non-useful follow-up visits and racked up money in co-pays.

  • Feb 8, 2024

    Dr. Is top notch!