Dr P G Paul graduated in 1978 from Trivandrum Medical College. He went on to complete postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from SSG Medical College, Baroda in 1983. Following that he started practice at Govt. General Hospital, Ernakulam in 1984. There he gained experience at laparoscopic sterilisation camps and performed more than 10,000 procedures over ten years in government service. He established Kerala's first laparoscopy training program under the Ministry of Health and later in the private sector. Currently, he is the Chairman of Paul's Hospital and Director of Cochin Gynaecological Endoscopic Training Centre in Kochi.
His passion for the advancement of laparoscopic surgery has caused him to receive international acclaim for his work. International Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy(ISGE) which is the leading international professional organization for minimal access gynaecological surgeons has recognised his extraordinary contribution in this field and he was elected as a member of the board. He has also been accorded the rare honour of being one of the first few non-American surgeons to be inducted as a member of The Society of Reproductive Surgeons, American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). He has in the past chaired the Clinical Research Committee of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India(FOGSI) and also been a past president of the Indian Society of Minimal Access and Gynaecological Endoscopy and urogynaecological Surgery(IMAGES). He has also served as Vice President of Indian Faculty of Endosonography and Endoscopy. He is currently the Chairperson of Indian Association of Gynecological Endoscopists, Kerala Chapter, since 2019.
He is an educator of international acclaim. He has trained over 1800 doctors from all six continents in laparoscopic gynaecological surgery and has played a transformational role in popularising minimal access surgery in the field of gynaecology across Asia. He is very much sought after in the national/international lecturing/surgical demonstration circuit, having been invited to over 600 such events. Recently he was invited for a cadaveric surgical demonstration and Post Graduate training program during The Annual American Association of Gynaecological Laparoscopy (AAGL) conference in Orlando, USA.
As the organising chairperson, he took the initiative to arrange several national and international conferences every two years in Kochi, Kerala with an attendance of more than 500 doctors. He has written over 26 chapters in textbooks and has published more than 40 research papers in the most leading international journals in the field. Some of them are invited review articles. His book "Manual of Operative Laparoscopy" and the various teaching videos were considered the ultimate cookbook on laparoscopy when it was published more than 20 years back. He is also on the review panel for many reputed International journals like Human Reproduction .
Some of his pioneering work in this field includes in-bag morcellation for fibroids, the technique of ovarian reconstruction without suturing, retrograde adhesiolysis technique for laparoscopic hysterectomy in Frozen pelvis and dynamic image-guided myomectomy. He has designed and developed various medical devices and instruments like the Paul's modified uterine manipulator for total laparoscopic hysterectomy; a variant of which has been recognised and marketed by Karl Storz, Germany who is a leader in introducing cutting edge technological innovations in operative laparoscopy.
Patient reviews have described him as an intelligent, conscientious, creative, courageous surgeon who perseveres to achieve the best result for his patients. It is this combination of rare skill which one can only be born with; in combination with being one of the most experienced laparoscopic surgeons in gynaecology (accredited with performing over 30000 advanced laparoscopic procedures) which have taken Dr Paul P.G to the top of his profession. The requests he has had from eminent personalities across India including union ministers, chief ministers, health ministers, legal luminaries and top bureaucrats to travel across the length and breadth of the country to operate on their kith and kin are a testament to his national position as the preeminent laparoscopic surgeon in the field of gynaecology.
At a time when laparoscopy was in its infancy, he performed the first Laparoscopic salpingectomy for Ectopic Pregnancy in Kerala in 1986. In 1988 he performed the first laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy and adnexectomy in Kerala. By 1992, the first laparoscopic myomectomy in Kerala was performed by him. Later in 1992, he performed the first Laparoscopic Hysterectomy in Kerala.
Dr Paul was the first gynaecologist in India to perform laparoscopic microtubal anastomosis in 1996. Later in 2015 he modified the same procedure using "barbed sutures" and this novel technique was published for the first time in international literature. He is also an internationally renowned expert in gynaecological ultrasound, hysteroscopic surgery, and assisted reproduction having helped over 20,000 couples achieve a pregnancy, including advanced ART techniques.
Recognizing his pioneering work, commitment and dedication he has given to the field of Gynaecology spanning more than 35 years, Indian Association of Gynaecological Endoscopy awarded him "Lifetime Endoscopy Empowerment Award" in 2018. He also received Distinguished Alumni Award from Trivandrum medical college in 2019 for contributions to gynaecological endoscopy recently.
He is involved in various charitable work, especially conducting medical camps in backward areas in the country through Rotary Club as an office-bearer for 15 years. He has been instrumental in starting the first human milk bank in Kerala during the presidency of the rotary club.
Chairperson of Clinical research committee of Federation of obstetrics and gynaecology of India (1999 to 2003)
President of Indian Association of Minimal Access Gynecological Endoscopic Society (2012-2014)
Chairperson of Indian Association of Gynecological Endoscopists , Kerala Chapter 2019
Member of The society of reproductive surgeons, American society of reproductive medicine (1997)
First member from India to be elected
Board member of the international society of gynaecological endoscopy(ISGE) ( 2012-16)
Awarded gold medal for performing single-handed, 10,000 laparoscopic sterilisations in the Ernakulam district in 1988 from the district collector. This was an era when laparoscopic sterilisation was not well accepted by the society.
Awarded with Lifetime Endoscopy Empowerment Award By Indian Association of Gynaecological Endoscopy (2018) for the contributions for teaching and training gynaecologists in India.
Awarded Distinguished Alumni Award from Trivandrum medical college in 2019 for contributions to gynaecological endoscopy.
Published 37 research papers in most leading international peer-reviewed journals, 3 Review articles, 26 chapters & written 1 book
Written a book on "Manual of operative Laparoscopy" in 1998. This was one of the first books published on Gynaecological Operative laparoscopy in India. Book describes step by step technique of operative laparoscopy.