9 Harley St London W1G 9QY   |   HCA Healthcare UK, The Shard, St Thomas’ Street, London SE1 9BS

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Consultant Head & Neck, and Microvascular Reconstruction Surgeon

3D model guided minimally invasive salivary gland surgery (tumors and stones)

Head and Neck Surgery

Sentinel Lymph node biopsy

Reconstructive Microsurgery

Mandibular reconstruction

Oral cavity lesions

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
  • Treatment of recurrent pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid
  • 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.

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For more information and enquiries

Contact
HCA, London Bridge Hospital

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. They both chair together the “Recurrent pleomorphic adenoma study group” which is a UK collaborative effort to discuss the treatment and advances for this complex condition. By combining the talent of these medical professionals, Axel upholds exceptional care and furthers medical advancements.

Latest updates

Predicting Non-Sentinel Node Metastasis in Early Oral Cancer

This study, Incidence and predictive factors for positive non-sentinel lymph nodes in completion neck dissection following a positive sentinel node biopsy in early oral cancer, continues to explore sentinel lymph node biopsy as a diagnostic tool, helping surgeons to plan the right treatment while reducing the need for a larger surgery, which means fewer side effects, faster recovery, and less risk of long-term problems like shoulder stiffness or numbness.

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Facial Nerve Preservation Surgery

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Ansa Hypoglossi

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.

Learn More

Testimonials

Parotid & Neck Cancer Surgery - Full Facial Nerve Preservation

Axel performed very complex cancer surgery on me, successfully removing a primary tumour deep in my parotid gland and many metastases in my neck. Through clever planning with Virtual Reality and his expert skills, he preserved my facial nerve. 6 months on, I have full facial function and it is nearly impossible to see the significant scars. The excellence of his surgery has preserved my quality of life and I have returned to regular sport. Most important to me has been Axel’s personal support, positivity and compassion as I have faced my cancer and its treatment. He has gone above and beyond all my expectations.

JB

London, UK

Life-Changing Support & Restored Hope

I want to express my deepest gratitude to Dr Axel for meeting me in his clinic on such a short notice. Before meeting him I was completely shattered and had lost all hope after what was communicated to me by other surgical teams. But the day I saw him in clinic, everything changed – his positivity and perspective gave me strength and renewed my faith. From the day I met him until the surgery, not a single day passed without thinking into his words of hope. I will be forever grateful to him. He gave me my life and smile back.

MB

London, UK

Oral Cancer Surgery for Our Son

Mr Sahovaler treated our son for oral cancer in 2022 and performed complex cancer and microvascular reconstructive surgery. His outstanding knowledge of his specialist area and practical surgical expertise has allowed our son to make an excellent recovery. From the outset he has shown empathy and understanding in all his contacts with our family. He took time to explain all the procedures and other relevant information in an honest and clear way so the appropriate choices were made. As medical doctors, my wife and I were apprehensive about what lay ahead but we found Mr Sahovaler’s caring and conscientious approach gave us the confidence and reassurance we needed. We cannot recommend him highly enough to patients who may need his skills, both now and in the future.

IH & KH

London, UK

Mandibular Reconstruction - Family Testimonial

Our family do not have the words to express our gratitude towards Dr Axel and his team. At a time when we were all faced with a barrage of information regarding my father’s impending complex mandibular reconstruction surgery, Dr Axel gave us the assurances we were so desperately seeking with his calm and extremely confident disposition. If you have the misfortune to find yourself diagnosed with a similar condition and requiring surgery, consider yourself very lucky to have someone like him at the helm. This man has nothing less than Hero status in our family and most likely many others!

DK

London, UK

Compassionate Care Before & After Surgery

I was Dr Axel Sahovaler’s patient from late 2022 and underwent surgery with him in April 2023. It’s difficult to put into words his professionalism, pragmatic advice, sense of humour and kindness. In our pre-op appointments Axel always listened to my concerns and answered them honestly and directly which meant I trusted his advice and guidance. Post-op his visits on the ward daily, including weekends, made me recognise that he has a genuine interest and concern for the wellbeing of his patients despite his undoubtedly busy schedule. He always made time to answer any questions I had regarding my recovery. In the early months after my discharge, Axel and his team kept in touch to monitor my progress and I felt very supported by the care he and his team provided. I feel very lucky to have had Axel as my surgeon and to have been under his care.

SS

London, UK

Surgical Oncologist – Precision, Reassurance & Excellent Outcomes

Axel Sahovaler was my Consultant Surgical Oncologist. From the moment we met on the day of my cancer diagnosis in July 2022, Mr Sahovaler was reassuring, precise and motivational in relation to my condition, as well as the prospect of my upcoming treatment. Mr Sahovaler is an excellent surgeon and I did not have any complications during or after my complex cancer surgery. During my stay in hospital, Mr Sahovaler went out of his way to listen to my concerns and provided relevant solutions. I am very grateful to have had Mr Sahovaler as my surgical oncologist during this extremely challenging part of my life and to have his expertise for my ongoing care

DH

London, UK

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