Experience
Mr Sahovaler trained and worked at top University-affiliated Hospitals in Canada and US prior to moving his practice to London. He is the only formally North-American trained surgeon actively performing head and neck surgery and reconstructions in London.
Specialist
Mr. Sahovaler specialises in head and neck surgery, diagnosing and treating complex surgical conditions in the head and neck region. This includes lumps and bumps in the neck, non-cancerous and cancerous conditions in the mouth and salivary glands problems. His expertise includes reconstructive procedures to restore form and function.
Location
Patients are seen in the clinics at the heart of London with offices at the Shard and Harley St. Surgery taking place at London Bridge Hospital. Conveniently located on the Southbank at London Bridge, it has multiple transport links including bus, underground and national rail services.
Specialisms
Surgical care is provided for to a wide range of head & neck condition. His areas of expertise include:
- Minimally invasive parotid surgery/Extracapsular dissection guided by 3D models
- Salivary gland stones
- White patches in the mouth
- Lumps and bumps in the mouth, face and neck
- Head and neck cancer surgery
- Reconstructions after cancer surgery which need microsurgery
- Facial reanimation procedures after facial paralysis
- Mandibular reconstruction with primary implants/”Jaw in a day” procedure
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy
- Neck dissections
Mr. Sahovaler stays up-to-date on the latest techniques and research to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care for patients with diseases of the head and neck region. His training and practice in North America allows him to take on a wide array of complex cases, and perform advanced reconstruction procedures when necessary.
For more information and enquiries
Teamwork makes the Dream work
Axel collaborates with exceptional medical staff across HCA, London Bridge Hospital, and other facilities to deliver world-class patient care. This includes highly-skilled nurses, radiology teams, and partnerships with other surgical teams. Together, they provide cutting-edge care with state-of-the-art nursing and radiology services.
Additionally, Axel formed a team with Professor Mark McGurk, a world-renowned head and neck surgeon and pioneer in parotid and salivary gland tumours. By combining the talent of these medical professionals, Axel upholds exceptional care and furthers medical advancements.
Latest updates
This is a space to showcase any publications you have been featured in
A recent BBC News story highlighted Mr Axel Sahovaler’s successful surgery to remove a parotid gland tumour while preserving the patient’s facial nerve. The patient, Suzy Spence, praised Mr Sahovaler and his team as “heroes” for saving her smile. The procedure required meticulous planning and microsurgical precision to safely remove the tumour and restore both form and function.
This study reports a novel approach to the most common type of head and neck cancer. Utilizing a nanoparticle developed at the Toronto General Hospital/TECHNA institute, enabled fluorescence guided surgery and photodynamic therapy treatment in three different species of rodents with the head and neck cancers.
Ultrasound-guided wire localization (USGW) is a safe and effective technique for surgeons to locate small, hidden tumors in the head and neck during revision surgery. This study describes five successful cases where USGW helped surgeons find tumors they could not feel by touch.
This study investigated the impact of surgical margins on survival in adults with head and neck osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. The findings suggest that achieving negative margins (greater than 3mm of healthy tissue removed around the tumor) during surgery is associated with improved survival and reduced tumor recurrence. The study also highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach that may include chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
This study analysed the properties of a novel nerve to be used as donor site for facial paralysis reanimation after cancer surgery, representing a very promising option without side effects for patients.
Nanoparticle mediated photodynamic therapy
This study reports a novel approach to the most common type of head and neck cancer. Utilizing a nanoparticle developed at the Toronto General Hospital/TECHNA institute, enabled fluorescence guided surgery and photodynamic therapy treatment in three different species of rodents with the head and neck cancers.
Ultrasound-guided wire localisation
Ultrasound-guided wire localization (USGW) is a safe and effective technique for surgeons to locate small, hidden tumors in the head and neck during revision surgery. This study describes five successful cases where USGW helped surgeons find tumors they could not feel by touch.
Head & Neck Osteosarcoma Margin Impact
This study investigated the impact of surgical margins on survival in adults with head and neck osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. The findings suggest that achieving negative margins (greater than 3mm of healthy tissue removed around the tumor) during surgery is associated with improved survival and reduced tumor recurrence. The study also highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach that may include chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
The Ansa Hypoglossi
This study analyzed the properties of a novel nerve to be used as donor site for facial paralysis reanimation after cancer surgery, representing a very promising option without side effects for patients.