Karim Sami Trad, MD| General Surgery | MedStar Health

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

5.0 out of 5 (461 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
Show More

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
Show All Show Less

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
Show All button Press enter to expand Show Less

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
    • Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
    • Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA
    • Kaiser Signature
    • Kaiser Flexible Choice
    • UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
    • Innovation Health: Open POS II
    • CareFirst NASCO
    • Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
    • United Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)
    • United Golden Rule
    • Medicaid - Maryland
    • Innovation Health: Indemnity
    • United Select Plus (POS)
    • Cigna EPO
    • United MD IPA (HMO)
    • Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus
    • Employee Health Plan (EHP)
    • Cigna Network Open Access
    • Cigna Preferred Medicare
    • Aetna HMO
    • Traditional Medicare Fee for Service
    • United Optimum Choice
    • Tricare East Prime
    • CareFirst Administrators
    • Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
    • CareFirst Blue Card Program (Out-of-area BCBS plans)
    • CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
    • Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
    • Kaiser Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
    • Aetna Open HMO/Open HMO Option/Open EPO Plus
    • Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (VA CCN)
    • Innovation Health: Open POS Plus
    • United Choice Plus
    • Kaiser Select
    • Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)
    • Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
    • Tricare for Life East
    • Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
    • Beech Street PPO
    • MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
    • Carefirst Healthy Blue (HMO/POS)
    • Kaiser Medicare Plus
    • Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
    • Innovation Health: PPO
    • Kaiser Permanente Signature-Added Choice
    • Kaiser HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
    • Cigna HMO Open Access
    • Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN)
    • Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Open Access
    • United Select HMO - EPO/NPP
    • United AARP Medicare Complete
    • HumanaChoice Honor’s plan PPO
    • Cigna HMO & Network (HMO)
    • Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO) |
    • Police and Fire Clinic
    • Aetna Choice POS & Choice POS II
    • Cigna Choice Fund PPO
    • United Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO)
    • Cigna POS Open Access & Open Access Plus
    • Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
    • HumanaChoice PPO
    • Virginia Premier
    • United Group Medicare Advantage Plans
    • Innovation Health: HMO & EPO Plus
    • United Choice
    • Carefirst BlueChoice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
    • WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
    • Carefirst EPO
    • Innovation Health: Network Only Plus
    • Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
    • Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus)
    • WellPoint Maryland
    • HealthyBlue PPO
    • Aetna Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
    • United Core Essential (HMO)
    • United MD IPA Preferred (POS)
    • CareFirst BC/BS Advantage Core/Enhanced
    • Carefirst Blue Preferred PPO
    • Cigna POS/Network POS
    • CareFirst MedStar PPO
    • United Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
    • Cigna Indemnity
    • Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
    • CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
    • United Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
    • Tricare East Select
    • Aetna HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
    • Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
    • Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)
    • CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
    • United Erickson Advantage Plans
    • Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
    • United Student Resources
    • Aetna Student Health Insurance
    • United Mamsi Life & Health
    • Medicaid - District of Columbia
    • Innovation Health: POS
    • CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
    • D-SNP)
    • United Nursing Home Plan (C-SNP
    • Tricare Reserve Select
    • Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
    • Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP)
    • MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
    • Kaiser Select-Added Choice
    • CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
    • United GEHA (for all other states) Compass Rose
    • Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
    • Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
    • Carefirst BlueChoice Open Access
    • I-SNP
    • United Navigate
    • Carefirst BlueChoice HMO
    • Innovation Health: POS Plus
    • Medicaid - Virginia
    • Cigna PPO and PPO Plus
    • MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
    • Coventry Health Care of Virginia
    • Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
    • First Health PPO
    • Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
    • Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA

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
  • Mar 7, 2024

    Very comfortable and pleased with my care

  • Mar 5, 2024

    Excellent visit with Dr Trad who took time to explain everything and what the procedure entailed .

  • Mar 4, 2024

    Dr. Trad is my "go to" person for any general surgery or advice on any general surgery.