Treatments

Salivary Gland Surgery

Axel specialises in using minimally invasive techniques to avoid functional problems later, these surgeries:

Extra capsular dissection (ECD) is an acknowledged minimally invasive method of managing benign parotid tumours and is based on principals completely different to traditional parotid surgery.

Axel’s approach to ECD is supported by a novel imaging method which enables to anticipate the location of the facial nerve prior to surgery which helps to avoid complications.

Benign Parotid Tumours

Benign parotid tumours can be removed safely by a much smaller operation than traditional parotidectomy.

Salivary Stones

Almost all salivary stones can be safely extracted from the parotid and submandibular glands, so saving these glands from removal.

Salivary Strictures

Strictures cause salivary obstruction and can be treated by stretching the ducts with tiny balloons or dilators thus avoiding surgery.

Salivary Ranulae

In nearly all cases, a simple ranula can be cured by a strategically placed suture under local anaesthetic.

Surgery and treatment for malignant and premalignant conditions in the mouth:

White patches in the mouth

Leukoplakia is a condition that creates white patches on your tongue, gums or the inside of your cheeks. The patches don’t hurt but they don’t go away. Leukoplakia may look harmless, but the condition may become mouth cancer.

Mouth Cancer

Mouth cancers usually form on the tongue, in the lining of the mouth, on the lips or on the gums. The salivary glands, tonsils or pharynx can also get affected. Caught early, there is a good chance of cure. 80% of patients will live for five years or more after early diagnosis and treatment. However, if mouth cancer is not caught early there is just a 20% chance of surviving this long as the cancer spreads quickly, either directly to the jaw bone, throat and skull or indirectly via the lymphatic system.

Microvascular Reconstruction

Surgery in the head and neck can result in loss of form and function. One of Axel’s main expertise is to restore patients functionality and appearance after a cancer removal operation. He is able to perform this using microsurgery techniques in order to utilise tissues from the same patient to reconstruct defects caused by previous surgery. This is usually done at the same time of the cancer removal operation, but it can also be done after (secondary reconstruction). His success rate with these procedure is 97.6%, and he has a very extensive repertoire of reconstructive techniques, each one with its pros and cons and suitable for different types of situation.

Radial forearm free flap
Lateral Arm free flap
Temporal Artery Posterior Auricular Skin (TAPAS) free flap
Superficial Circumflax Iliac Artery (Groin) free flap
Anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap
Latissimus dorsi free flap
Scapular tip free flap
Fibula free flap

Sentinel Node biopsy (SNB)

Sentinel Node Biopsy (SNB) is a minimally invasive technique that can trace the movement of cancer cells from the mouth into nodes of the neck. It is the most accurate way to identify early metastasis.

London Bridge Hospital

Based by the River Thames and beneath The Shard, London Bridge Hospital is renowned for its outstanding facilities and commitment to exceptional patient care.

Home to some of the UK’s leading consultants, it offers a highly skilled multidisciplinary team providing expert support for your personalised treatment with Mr Axel Sahovaler.

Academic Affiliations

Mr. Sahovaler works closely with the UCL Head & Neck Academic Centre, where he is involved in clinical research.

He aspires to the advancement of research in head and neck diseases, as seen by the many collaborative efforts and medical publications.

Public Affiliations

Mr. Sahovaler is currently serving as a consultant in the NHS at University College London Hospitals (UCLH). This is a specialised unit for head and neck disease, providing care to a population of over 3 million in central and east London.

He regularly provides guidance to aspiring surgeons through UCLH’s close relationship with UCL Medical School.