Thoracic surgery in Harrow

Private thoracic surgery at Clementine Churchill Hospital in Harrow, London

The Clementine Churchill Hospital offers a comprehensive thoracic surgery service in London, providing specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment for conditions affecting the lungs, pleura, mediastinum, diaphragm and chest wall.

Our service brings together internationally recognised thoracic surgeons, advanced surgical technology and a multidisciplinary team to provide personalised care for patients with benign and malignant thoracic conditions. We offer minimally invasive and complex thoracic surgery, with a particular focus on robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci 5 (DV5) surgical system.

Our specialist services include lung cancer surgery, mediastinal and thymic surgery, pleural disease, lung volume reduction for severe emphysema, chest wall reconstruction, diaphragm surgery, thoracic endometriosis and hyperhidrosis. Our surgeons work closely with oncologists and respiratory physicians to coordinate chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted anticancer therapies and radiotherapy where indicated.

Our aim is to provide advanced surgical expertise, innovative technology and coordinated care from consultation and diagnosis through treatment and recovery.

Call or book online today for fast access to a consultant thoracic surgeon near you.

Comprehensive multidisciplinary thoracic care

Our surgeons work with respiratory physicians, medical and clinical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, anaesthetists, physiotherapists and other specialists to coordinate assessment and treatment. Appropriate complex cases may be discussed by the Advanced Thoracic and Lung Cancer Multidisciplinary Team (ATLC MDT).

Lung cancer surgery and comprehensive cancer treatment

We assess and treat suspected and confirmed lung cancer, including early-stage disease and selected locally advanced cases, in collaboration with respiratory physicians, oncologists and other cancer specialists.

Types of lung cancer we treat

• Non-small cell lung cancer, including adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma
• Selected locally advanced lung cancer
• Pulmonary metastases
• Pulmonary nodules and suspected lung malignancies
• Selected pulmonary carcinoid and other benign or malignant lung tumours

Surgical procedures and treatments we offer

• Robotic-assisted lobectomy, anatomical segmentectomy and wedge resection
• Video-assisted thoracoscopic lung resection
• Systematic mediastinal lymph node dissection and surgical biopsy or staging
• Complex lung resections, including selected sleeve resections and bilobectomy
• Pneumonectomy where indicated
• Pulmonary metastasectomy and combined lung/chest wall resection

Comprehensive cancer treatment

Surgery may be part of a broader treatment plan. In collaboration with oncology specialists, patients may receive chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted anticancer therapy, radiotherapy or combined treatment. Where appropriate, chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy may be given before surgery, with further treatment considered after resection. Recommendations reflect disease stage, tumour characteristics, molecular findings and patient health.

Mediastinal and thymic surgery

We assess and treat benign and malignant conditions of the mediastinum, the central compartment of the chest.

Conditions we treat

• Thymoma, thymic carcinoma and other thymic tumours
• Thymic hyperplasia and myasthenia gravis requiring surgery
• Mediastinal cysts, masses and lymphadenopathy
• Selected complex mediastinal tumours involving adjacent structures

Surgical procedures and treatments we offer

• Robotic-assisted, VATS and extended thymectomy
• Robotic-assisted mediastinal mass resection and mediastinal cyst excision
• Surgical biopsy of mediastinal lymph nodes and masses; mediastinoscopy
• Complex mediastinal tumour resection, including combined lung and major vessels, pericardial or chest wall resection when needed
• Sternotomy or thoracotomy for selected complex cases

Robotic surgery may allow selected procedures through small incisions; more extensive tumours may require an open or combined approach.

Pleural disease and pneumothorax

Our service provides diagnosis and treatment for conditions affecting the pleura, including fluid accumulation, lung collapse and pleural infection.

Conditions we treat

• Recurrent benign and malignant pleural effusions; suspected pleural malignancy and pleural metastases
• Selected mesothelioma cases requiring diagnostic or palliative procedures
• Spontaneous and recurrent pneumothorax; persistent air leaks
• Pleural infection, empyema and complex loculated collections
• Fibrothorax, trapped lung and other pleural conditions

Surgical procedures and treatments we offer

• VATS pleural biopsy and medical or surgical thoracoscopy as appropriate
• Talc or mechanical pleurodesis; partial or complete pleurectomy where indicated
• Thoracoscopic bullectomy and treatment of recurrent pneumothorax or persistent air leaks
• Pleural decortication, drainage and debridement of infection
• Indwelling pleural catheter insertion and management of recurrent effusions

Advanced treatment of emphysema and COPD

For selected patients with severe emphysema and hyperinflation, lung volume reduction may improve breathing and exercise capacity.

Conditions we treat

• Severe emphysema and advanced COPD with significant hyperinflation
• Heterogeneous emphysema suitable for lung volume reduction
• Selected giant bullous emphysema and other emphysema-related surgical conditions

Surgical procedures and treatments we offer

• Robotic-assisted or VATS lung volume reduction surgery
• Surgical bullectomy and treatment of giant pulmonary bullae
• Specialist assessment for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction, including endobronchial valves where appropriate

Assessment includes lung function, CT imaging, exercise capacity and overall clinical condition, with respiratory specialist input.

Chest wall surgery and reconstruction

We provide specialist assessment and treatment for chest wall tumours, chest wall deformities and injuries.

Conditions we treat

• Primary, secondary and benign chest wall tumours or masses
• Complex rib fractures and chest wall instability
• Pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum
• Chest wall defects after tumour resection or previous surgery
• Selected chronic chest wall pain requiring surgical assessment

Surgical procedures and treatments we offer

• Chest wall tumour resection and complex reconstruction
• Rib fixation and stabilisation; sternal reconstruction
• Reconstruction using titanium implants and surgical mesh
• Combined lung and chest wall resection
• Surgery for selected deformities and removal of benign lesions

Complex reconstruction may involve collaboration with plastic and reconstructive surgeons.

Diaphragm surgery

We assess diaphragmatic conditions that may impair breathing or cause discomfort.

Conditions we treat

• Diaphragm paralysis and eventration
• Abnormal diaphragm elevation and selected diaphragmatic defects
• Diaphragmatic endometriosis and selected diaphragmatic lesions

Surgical procedures and treatments we offer

• Robotic-assisted or VATS diaphragm plication
• Diaphragmatic repair and reconstruction where indicated
• Resection of selected diaphragmatic lesions

For selected patients, diaphragm plication may improve respiratory mechanics and symptoms.

Thoracic endometriosis

Thoracic endometriosis may affect the diaphragm or pleura and can cause menstrual-cycle-associated chest pain, effusion or pneumothorax.

Conditions we treat

• Catamenial pneumothorax and haemothorax
• Diaphragmatic and pleural endometriosis
• Thoracic endometriosis syndrome and recurrent cyclical chest symptoms

Surgical procedures and treatments we offer

• VATS exploration or robotic-assisted thoracic surgery where appropriate
• Excision or ablation of thoracic endometriotic lesions
• Resection, repair or reconstruction of diaphragmatic defects
• Pleurodesis or pleurectomy where indicated
• Surgery for recurrent endometriosis-associated pneumothorax

Treatment may be coordinated with specialist gynaecologists for concurrent pelvic disease.

Hyperhidrosis surgery

For severe primary focal hyperhidrosis that has not responded to non-surgical treatment, thoracic sympathectomy may be considered.

Types of hyperhidrosis we treat

• Severe palmar hyperhidrosis
• Selected axillary and craniofacial hyperhidrosis
• Other primary focal hyperhidrosis where surgery may be appropriate

Surgical procedures and treatments we offer

• Video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy (VATS sympathectomy)

Assessment includes discussion of alternatives, expected benefits and complications, particularly compensatory sweating.

Other thoracic conditions and procedures

Our team also assesses other conditions affecting the chest.

Conditions we treat

• Benign pulmonary nodules, tumours, cysts and bullae
• Selected pulmonary infections requiring surgery
• Pericardial effusions requiring surgical drainage
• Selected tracheal and airway conditions and other complex thoracic disorders

Surgical procedures and treatments we offer

• Diagnostic bronchoscopy and surgical lung biopsy
• Robotic-assisted or VATS wedge resection
• Pericardial window and surgical pericardial drainage
• Surgery for selected pulmonary infections
• Thoracotomy and other open procedures where indicated

Advanced robotic thoracic surgery with the da Vinci 5

The da Vinci 5 (DV5) supports complex procedures through small incisions, with high-definition three-dimensional visualisation, articulated instruments and force-feedback capabilities that provide information about forces applied to tissue.

Potential benefits of robotic surgery

• Smaller incisions and potentially reduced postoperative pain and surgical trauma
• Potentially shorter hospital stays and faster recovery
• Enhanced visualisation and precise movements in confined spaces
• A minimally invasive approach for selected complex procedures

Robotic procedures we offer

• Lobectomy, anatomical segmentectomy and wedge resection
• Thymectomy and mediastinal mass resection
• Diaphragm plication and lung volume reduction surgery
• Selected complex thoracic procedures

The surgical approach is selected according to each patient’s diagnosis, anatomy and clinical condition. Robotic surgery is not suitable for every patient.

Meet our thoracic surgeons

Mr Nizar Asadi, consultant thoracic surgeon & specialist in robotic and minimally-invasive thoracic surgery

Mr Nizar Asadi is a London-based Consultant Thoracic Surgeon with extensive experience in lung cancer and complex thoracic conditions. His practice focuses on advanced robotic-assisted surgery, minimally invasive lung cancer surgery, airway surgery, complex mediastinal procedures and pleural, chest wall and diaphragmatic conditions.

Mr Asadi is involved in developing robotic surgical programmes and holds senior educational and professional roles in cardiothoracic surgery, including Cardiothoracic Specialty Dean for the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain and Ireland (SCTS). He is active in surgical education, research and innovation, with a particular interest in robotic surgery and postoperative recovery.

At The Clementine Churchill Hospital, Mr Asadi offers consultant-led, individualised care informed by diagnosis, overall health and patient preferences.

Personalised care from consultation to recovery

Initial consultation and assessment

Review of history, symptoms and previous investigations, with imaging, lung function tests or further diagnostics where needed.

Multidisciplinary review

Discussion at the Advanced Thoracic and Lung Cancer Multidisciplinary Team (ATLC MDT)where appropriate to consider relevant treatment options.

Individualised surgical planning

Discussion of the recommended procedure, alternatives, risks and expected recovery, including minimally invasive options where suitable.

Surgery and postoperative care

Care supported by specialist anaesthetists, nurses, physiotherapists and the wider clinical team.

Recovery and follow-up

A postoperative plan tailored to the procedure and individual recovery, with follow-up after discharge.

Referrals and second opinions

We welcome referrals from GPs, respiratory physicians, oncologists and other specialists. Patients with suspected or confirmed thoracic conditions, including complex cases, may seek a specialist consultation or second opinion. Cases may be considered for ATLC MDT review, subject to clinical assessment and available diagnostic information.

How to book a thoracic surgery consultation in Harrow

If you have a condition affecting your lungs or chest, or have been advised that you may need thoracic surgery, our team can review your diagnosis and discuss available treatment options. Appointments are available for both privately insured and self-funding patients. Book online, or give us a call and our team will help you find an appointment time that suits you.