Following house jobs in Edinburgh, I undertook basic surgical training at Leeds General Infirmary. I took time out from training to undertake a period of research in smooth muscle cell physiology under the supervision of Professor David Beech at the University of Leeds.
Specialty training in cardiothoracic surgery took place in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Yorkshire. I gained my certificate of specialist training in 2007 and was appointed to my present position as a consultant in thoracic surgery at Bristol Royal Infirmary shortly afterwards.
Since my appointment, I have introduced the PleurX drain service for pleural effusion management, day-of-surgery admission for elective patients, day case thoracic surgery and advanced minimally invasive techniques. I have also pioneered the use of enhanced recovery in thoracic surgery in the UK. I have been the sub-specialty lead for thoracic surgery at Bristol Royal Infirmary since 2008.
At the Spire Hospital Bristol I provide a comprehensive approach to the surgical management of diseases of the chest for private patients. Surgery ranges from diagnostic and staging procedures through to radical treatment. Conditions treated include:
- Lung cancer
- Lung metastases (usually from colorectal cancer)
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumothorax
- Empyema
- Mediastinal tumours (e.g. thymoma, neurogenic tumours) and cysts
- Myasthenia gravis
- Chest wall tumours
- Pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum
- Chest trauma
- Palmar hyperhydrosis and facial blushing
Operations performed include:
- Major lung resection (lobectomy, pneumonectomy, segmentectomy, wedge resection)
- Mediastinoscopy
- Bronchoscopy (rigid)
- Lung biopsy (VATS)
- Pleural biopsy (VATS)
- Bullectomy and pleurectomy (VATS)
- Thymectomy (trans-cervical/VATS)
- Pectus repair
- Sympathectomy/sympathicotomy (VATS)