Research & Publications — Dr. Abdullah Iqbal (MBBS, FCPS)

Last updated: June 27, 2026 · Reviewed by Dr. Abdullah Iqbal, MBBS, FCPS

Dr. Abdullah Iqbal (MBBS; FCPS – General Surgery) is a Karachi-based laser proctologist and general surgeon whose clinical work is grounded in peer-reviewed research published in national and international medical journals. In my practice, I believe that good surgery starts with good evidence. Every recommendation I make to a patient — whether it is laser treatment for piles, a sphincter-preserving approach to fistula, or careful planning before gallbladder surgery — is shaped by what the published medical literature actually shows works, and what carries unnecessary risk.

Both studies below were first-authored by me during my surgical training and practice at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, and remain indexed in recognised medical databases including Google Scholar and PubMed. This research foundation underpins the evidence-based, minimally invasive approach I use at Karachi Piles Clinic — from non-surgical management of fistula to safer planning of gallbladder surgery.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

1. Outcome of Use of 1% Silver Nitrate in Patients with Low-Lying Perianal Fistula

Iqbal A, Ahmed T, Khan I, Perveen S, Khan MI.
Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad (JAMC). 2019;31(3):355–358.
PMID: 31535505 · Full text: JAMC · Download full-text PDF

This study evaluated 1% silver nitrate irrigation as a non-surgical treatment for low-lying perianal fistula — an office-based, sphincter-preserving alternative to conventional fistula surgery. The work reflects my long-standing focus on minimally invasive, function-preserving proctology that reduces patient pain and recovery time.

Why this matters for patients: A perianal fistula is an abnormal tunnel that forms between the inside of the anal canal and the skin near the anus. The traditional concern with fistula surgery has always been the risk to the anal sphincter — the muscle that controls continence. Cut too much of it, and a patient can be left with long-term problems controlling gas or stool. My interest in approaches like silver nitrate irrigation, and later in laser fistula closure (FiLaC), comes directly from this concern: how do we treat the fistula effectively while protecting the muscle? This is the same principle I apply today in the clinic — choosing the least invasive option that will actually resolve the problem, rather than defaulting to a bigger operation. You can read more about how I approach fistula treatment in Karachi.

2. Preoperative Assessment of a Scoring System Designed for Prediction of Difficult Cholecystectomy in Patients with Symptomatic Gallstones

Iqbal A, Perveen S, Khan I, Ahmed T, Khan MI, Tunio M.
Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal (PAFMJ). 2020;70(2):610–616.
Read it: PAFMJ 2020;70(2):610–616 · Download full-text PDF

This study assessed a preoperative scoring system to predict difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with symptomatic gallstones — helping surgeons anticipate operative difficulty, counsel patients honestly before surgery, and plan a safer operation.

Why this matters for patients: Not every gallbladder is the same. Some are straightforward to remove through keyhole surgery; others — because of repeated infections, scarring, or anatomy — are genuinely difficult and carry a higher risk of complications. The value of a scoring system is that it lets the surgeon know before the operation begins whether a case is likely to be difficult. That means a patient can be counselled properly, the operating team can be prepared, and the decision to convert to open surgery (if needed for safety) is made calmly rather than as a surprise. This research reflects how I approach gallbladder stone surgery in Karachi — assess carefully, plan honestly, and prioritise the patient’s safety over speed.

Research Interests & Focus Areas

Across both of my published studies runs a single thread that has defined my surgical career: doing more with less harm. My research and clinical interests centre on:

  • Sphincter-preserving proctology — treating fistula, fissure and piles in ways that protect the anal muscles and a patient’s long-term continence.
  • Minimally invasive and laser techniques — reducing post-operative pain, bleeding and recovery time compared with conventional open surgery.
  • Risk prediction and surgical safety — using preoperative assessment to anticipate difficulty and reduce complications, as in my work on difficult cholecystectomy.
  • Patient counselling and honest expectation-setting — giving patients realistic information about outcomes rather than promises.

This focus is the reason I went on to train specifically in laser proctology in 2021, becoming Pakistan’s first laser proctologist. The published research came first; the specialised clinical practice grew out of it.

Why Peer-Reviewed Research Matters When Choosing a Surgeon

When you are searching for a surgeon for a sensitive condition like piles, fissure or fistula, it is hard to know who to trust. Many websites make big claims. Peer-reviewed research is one of the few signals that cannot simply be claimed — it has to be earned. To publish in an indexed medical journal, a study must pass review by other doctors who scrutinise the methods, data and conclusions before it is accepted.

For a patient, a surgeon’s published research tells you three useful things. First, that they have engaged seriously with the evidence in their field, not just learned a single technique. Second, that their work has been judged credible by independent peers. And third — in my case — that the specific topics I have studied (sphincter-preserving fistula treatment and safer gallbladder surgery) are exactly the conditions I treat day to day. The research and the practice line up. That alignment is what I want patients to be able to see and verify for themselves.

Verify This Research Independently

I encourage every patient to check these claims rather than take them on trust. Both publications are publicly indexed and can be verified through independent databases:

Credentials & Memberships

  • MBBS (2012)
  • FCPS – General Surgery (2018), College of Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan
  • Member, European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP)
  • Member, American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS)
  • Certified in Laser Proctology (2021) — Pakistan’s first laser proctologist
  • PM&DC Registration No. 63108-S

Learn more about Dr. Abdullah Iqbal or book an appointment at Karachi Piles Clinic, Shaheed-e-Millat Road, Karachi.

Have a question about your condition or want a second opinion grounded in evidence-based surgery? Appointment ke liye WhatsApp karein: 0333-2877351

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