Mr Nigel D'Souza

I am a Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon. I offer patients surgery with the da Vinci robot or laparoscopic (keyhole surgery). This includes treatment for colon and rectal cancer and diverticular disease. I offer proctology treatment for bottom conditions (haemorrhoids, fistulas, skin tags).

As a cancer surgeon, my practice involves routine evaluation and treatment of bowel symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, incontinence and irritable bowel syndrome, and investigate these symptoms by flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonscopy.

My first degree was in International Relations and Healthcare Policy at Dartmouth College in the United States. I returned to the UK for medical school at UCL. I was inspired to pursue a career in surgery, and trained in London and Oxford initially, working at hospitals including St George's and the John Radcliffe. I spent my first year of marriage with my wife in KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, working in trauma surgery. After I decided on a career in colorectal surgery, I moved to Wessex, home to world renowned units in colorectal surgery including Portsmouth, Basingstoke, and Southampton. After I completed higher surgical training and joined the specialist register, I moved to Australia for advanced fellowships in colorectal surgery.

I worked at Concord Repatriation Hospital, a high volume hospital in general and colorectal surgery where I learned advanced techniques in minimally invasive colorectal resections, haemorrhoid and fistula surgery. I then spent a later year at Royal Prince Alfred (ranked #1 hospital in Australia), in complex cancer surgery and robotic surgery.

I returned to the UK to work at University Hospital Southampton. My practice at UHS focuses on bowel cancer surgery, which I treat mainly with either robotic or laparoscopic platforms. However, I also perform surgery on patients with benign or inflammatory bowel disease, haemorrhoids, fistulas and pilonidal disease. I offer on-call emergency general surgery services. I continue to visit units in the UK and abroad (USA, Canada, Netherlands) to stay up to date with best practice in surgery.

At Southampton, I continue to offer patients the opportunity to access cutting-edge treatments as principal investigator for several research trials. I have performed clinical research for patient benefit throughout my career.

I was awarded a PhD by Imperial College for my research in colorectal cancer at the Royal Marsden under Professor Gina Brown and Paris Tekkis. My research with Mr Muti Abulafi at Croydon on the faecal immunochemical test was awarded three prizes in general and colorectal surgery, and led to a change in UK national guidelines, recommending its use in patients with bowel symptoms.

I was brought up to respect and value the contribution of teachers, and completed a master's in surgical education part time alongside surgical training. Through the University of Southampton, I continue to teach medical students in the lecture theatre and by the bedside, and have been appointed as Honorary Clinical Lecturer. I teach and formally supervise newly qualified doctors and higher surgical trainees in all aspects of medicine and surgery.