He leads endometriosis, fibroid, and one-stop rapid cancer diagnosis services at Northampton General Hospital NHS and Three Shires Hospital. He is also involved in supporting regional training for obstetrics and gynaecology.

Clinical expertise and services

Mr Gnanachandran offers specialist assessment and treatment for a range of symptoms and conditions, including:

• Pelvic pain
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Endometriosis
• Fibroid
• Ovarian cysts
• Suspected ovarian cancer and other gynaecological cancers

He provides both diagnostic scanning and, where needed, appropriate treatment based on a clear and accurate diagnosis.

He is highly experienced in total laparoscopic hysterectomy (including removal of the cervix, with or without preserving the ovaries), surgery for endometriosis following multidisciplinary review when required, and fibroid surgery.

Advanced scanning and rapid diagnosis

Mr Gnanachandran runs a one-stop pelvic scan clinic at Northampton General Hospital and Three Shires Hospital. This service is designed to provide fast assessment and diagnosis for symptoms such as:

• Irregular bleeding
• Pelvic pain
• Abdominal bloating

Using advanced diagnostic techniques, he assesses conditions including endometriosis, endometrial polyps, ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer, and suspected endometrial cancer.
He routinely carries out detailed assessments for deep endometriosis in patients with pelvic pain, including those experiencing pain during periods or sexual intercourse.

Surgical expertise

Mr Gnanachandran is an experienced surgeon in both laparoscopic and open (laparotomy) procedures. Between January and December 2024, he performed:

• Over 70 laparoscopic hysterectomies for fibroids, adenomyosis, and endometrial cancer
• More than 30 laparoscopic procedures for endometriosis
• Over 20 laparotomies for suspected cancer or large fibroids greater than 12 cm

He performs around 90% of hysterectomies using laparoscopic (keyhole) techniques, with a conversion to open surgery of less than 5%.

His surgical practice includes:

• Laparoscopic hysterectomy
• Fibroid surgery (laparoscopic or open depending on size and number)
• Endometriosis surgery (staged care with referral of complex cases to specialist centres)
• Hysteroscopy, including removal of polyps and fibroids
• Colposcopy and treatment of cervical precancer and early cervical cancer

Specialist skills and accreditations

Mr Gnanachandran is IOTA (International Ovarian Tumour Analysis) certified for ovarian cyst and ovarian cancer assessment. He also performs uterine scanning using IETA (International Endometrial Tumour Analysis) standards for patients with irregular bleeding.

He is known for providing advanced diagnostic services, including:

• Gynaecology scans for ovarian cysts and pelvic conditions
• HyCOSY for assessment of fallopian tube patency
• IOTA-based assessment to evaluate the risk of ovarian malignancy

As of January 2022, he offers 3D transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) scanning for fibroids and uterine abnormalities.

Endometriosis and multidisciplinary care

Mr Gnanachandran is committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for women with endometriosis. He has driven the development of services in Northampton, achieving BSGE accreditation for the Centre for Deep Infiltrative Endometriosis.

He jointly leads a multidisciplinary team at Northampton General Hospital, providing access to specialist surgeons and coordinated care for women with severe and complex endometriosis.
He is also a member of the Northamptonshire multidisciplinary team (MDT) for gynaecological cancer.

Leadership, research and innovation

Mr Gnanachandran was appointed as a Consultant at Northampton General Hospital in 2016. Since then, he has played a key role in improving fertility and gynaecology services, with a focus on minimally invasive surgery and advanced scanning techniques.

He has developed and led a one-stop rapid access pathway for patients with suspected gynaecological cancer and has trained nursing teams to support this service.

His current responsibilities include leadership in:

• Emergency gynaecology
• Fertility services
• Rapid access care for patients with suspected cancer

He is also a Primary Investigator for two research studies:

• ROCkeTS – improving tests for ovarian cancer detection
• PROTECTOR – supporting women at increased risk of ovarian cancer

Patient care and recognition

Mr Gnanachandran is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. In 2021, he was awarded a Certificate of Excellence from IWantGreatCare for delivering outstanding care.

Important information for patients

Mr Gnanachandran provides care for a wide range of gynaecological conditions. However, he does not see patients for:

• Late pregnancy care
• Delivery services
• Urogynaecology (including urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse)

• Gynaecology scan (Rapid access care, subfertility and emergency gynaecology)
• Fertility (consultation only)
• HyCoSy (Hysterosalpingo Contrast Sonography)
• Colposcopy
• Diagnostic laparoscopy and dye test
• Endometrial resection/Polypectomy
• Minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic surgeries)
• Endometrial ablation – NovaSure
• Laparoscopic sterilisation
• Laparoscopy for pelvic pain
• Hysteroscopy (inc laparoscopic)
• Coping with infertility/assessment before IVF
• Ovulation induction – clomiphene citrate/leterazole/ovarian drilling

He regularly sees patients for:

• Subfertility
• Pelvic pain
• Ovarian cyst assessment in view of risk of malignancy
• Symptoms of fibroids for subfertility patients/pelvic pain/menstrual disorders
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Suspected ectopic pregnancy/pregnancy and pain
• Ovarian cyst in pregnancy
• Intermenstrual bleeding
• Postcoital bleeding

Research interests:

• Endometrial assessment for patients with postmenopausal bleeding
• Ovarian cyst assessment and early diagnosis of ovarian cancer

• Consultant Gynaecologist at Northampton General Hospital
• Has held an Honorary lecturer title since 2022 with 2 active research projects on-going involving identifying / scanning for early ovarian cancer

• American Association of Gynaecology Laparoscopist
• British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy
• British Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (BSCCP)- accredited Colposcopist since 2011
• British Gynaecology Cancer Society
• British Society for Gynaecological Imaging - committee member
• European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
• International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG)

• www.topdoctors.co.uk/doctor/chellappah-gnanachandran
• Signs and symptoms of endometriosis
• Myomectomy Benefits, Risks, Long-Term Outcomes, and Effects on Fertility and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Literature Review
• Fibroids (GP & HCP Event)

• Ashmore, A, C. Gnanachandran, I. Luqman, and K. Horrocks. "One-Stop Clinic for Patients with Suspected Ovarian Cancer Pathway from a Retrospective Outcome Study." (2020). Original research
• Ashmore AA, Gnanachandran C, Luqman I, Horrocks K, Bhatt T. OP03. 09: Rapid access suspected ovarian cancer clinic: an audit examining the GP referral pathway. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2019 Oct;54:94-.
• Ball E, Waters N, Cooper N, Talati C, Mallick R, Rabas S, Mukherjee A, Ranjan YS, Thaha M, Doodia R, Keedwell R. Evidence-based guideline on laparoscopy in pregnancy: commissioned by the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE) endorsed by the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG). Facts, views & vision in ObGyn. 2019 Mar;11(1):5.
• Gnanachandran C, Zielinski E, Penketh R. Survey on Selection Criteria Indication for Patients with Postmenopausal Bleeding for Hysteroscopy: Variation in Current Practice and Implications for Clinical Effectiveness. Journal of Gynecologic Surgery. 2018 Aug 1;34(4):197-202.