Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery · London Bridge Hospital

Robotic Lung Surgery
in London

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust is the UK's largest thoracic robotic surgery programme — performing 71.3% of anatomic resections robotically against a national average of 24%. Dr Lawrence Okiror, Consultant Thoracic and Robotic Surgeon, sits on the RCSEd Surgical Specialty Board in Cardiothoracic Surgery and represents the specialty on the College's Robotic Surgery Taskforce. He performs robotic lung surgery privately at London Bridge Hospital. Consultations are available within 2–3 days. Self-referrals welcome.

Last reviewed: May 2026 · Dr Lawrence Okiror FRCS(CTh) FRCSEd(CTh) · GMC 6150382

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📞 020 7952 2882  ·  pa@lungsurgeon.co.uk  ·  Jo Mitchelson, Private PA

Guy’s and St Thomas’ ranked #1 and #2 in the UK · London Bridge Hospital #10 · Newsweek World’s Best Hospitals 2026.

Key Questions
What is robotic lung surgery?

Robotic lung surgery uses the da Vinci Xi surgical system to perform keyhole lung resection — lobectomy or segmentectomy — through 3–4 small incisions of 1–2cm. The surgeon sits at a console and controls every instrument movement in real time. No ribs are spread or divided. The result is significantly less pain, shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery than open surgery, with superior lymph node dissection.

Who performs robotic lung surgery in London?

Dr Lawrence Okiror, Consultant Thoracic and Robotic Surgeon (GMC 6150382), performs robotic lung surgery privately at London Bridge Hospital. He is based at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust — the UK's largest thoracic robotic surgery programme and largest lung cancer surgery centre — where 71.3% of anatomic resections are robotic (SCTS 2024–25). He sits on the RCSEd Surgical Specialty Board in Cardiothoracic Surgery and represents the specialty on the College's Robotic Surgery Taskforce, and has completed over 333 registered robotic cases.

Where is robotic lung surgery available privately in London?

Dr Okiror performs robotic lung surgery privately at London Bridge Hospital, 27 Tooley Street, London SE1 2PR. Consultations are typically available within 2–3 days of contacting the practice. Self-referrals welcome — patients may book directly. Insurance is accepted from AXA, BUPA, WPA, Vitality, Cigna, and Aviva.

What happens after robotic lung surgery?

Most patients spend 2–4 days in hospital and return to normal activities within 2–4 weeks. For patients who underwent ION bronchoscopy as the diagnostic step, the robotic resection follows the same surgeon and the same institution — no handoff, no avoidable delay. Dr Okiror reviews all patients personally at follow-up to confirm the pathology result and agree the long-term plan.

Technology

da Vinci Xi robotic system — 3D magnified vision and articulated instruments through keyhole incisions. Greater precision around blood vessels and lymph nodes than standard keyhole (VATS) technique.

Volume

Dr Okiror performs 80%+ of operations by robotic or minimally invasive technique. At GSTT: 71.3% robotic share of anatomic resections vs 24% national average. 153 anatomic resections in 2024–25. Career total 1,000+.

Named Operator

Dr Lawrence Okiror performs robotic lung surgery privately at London Bridge Hospital. Member, RCSEd Surgical Specialty Board in Cardiothoracic Surgery; Board representative to the College’s Robotic Surgery Taskforce. Consultations within 2–3 days. Self-referrals welcome.

71.3%

Of GSTT lung cancer operations performed robotically vs 24% nationally

969

Primary lung cancer cases at GSTT 2024–25 — UK’s largest lung cancer surgery centre

1,000+

Lung cancer operations performed by Dr Okiror as a consultant

RCSEd

Robotic Surgery Taskforce — Cardiothoracic Board representative

The Surgeon Is Always in Control

What robotic lung surgery
actually involves.

The most common question I hear in clinic: "Will a machine be operating on me?" The answer is no — not in any meaningful sense. I sit at a surgical console and control every movement of every instrument, in real time. The robot does not act independently. It cannot make decisions. It does not move unless I move.

What the da Vinci robotic system gives me is something I cannot achieve any other way: a magnified, three-dimensional high-definition view inside the chest; instruments that bend and rotate through a far wider range of motion than the human wrist; and the elimination of hand tremor. The result is greater precision, less tissue damage, and consistently better outcomes for patients.

I sit on the Surgical Specialty Board in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and the Board has nominated me as its representative to the College’s Robotic Surgery Taskforce — the body shaping national guidance on robotic surgery across surgical specialties. At GSTT, 71.3% of anatomic resections are now performed robotically, more than double the national average of 24%.

Dr Lawrence Okiror at the da Vinci surgical console — robotic lung surgery, London Bridge Hospital
Clinical Evidence

Why robotic surgery
produces better outcomes.

The clinical case for robotic thoracic surgery has strengthened considerably in recent years. Beyond the well-established benefits of minimally invasive surgery — shorter hospital stays, less pain, faster recovery — robotic surgery offers a specific oncological advantage that open and VATS approaches cannot match.

The precision of robotic instrumentation allows more thorough lymph node dissection during lung cancer surgery. Research published in the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (2026) confirms that improved lymph node yield from robotic resection independently predicts better survival in non-small cell lung cancer — meaning the operation itself influences long-term outcome, not just the tumour biology.

In practical terms: a robotic operation takes longer to set up, requires more investment in technology and training, and demands a higher operative volume to perform well. The fact that GSTT performs 71.3% of its anatomic resections robotically — at the UK's highest volume — reflects a deliberate commitment to this standard.

GSTT Robotic Surgery Data — SCTS National Audit 2024–25

71.3%

Robotic approach
vs 24% nationally

99.59%

Operative survival rate
vs 98.5% national avg

6%

Wedge resections
vs 14% nationally

Figures relate to Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, 2024–25. Operative survival = perioperative survival from lung resection surgery.

Dr Okiror — Personal Operative Data

333

Registered robotic cases
Feb 2020 – Mar 2026

84 min

Median console time
vs European avg 115 min

153

Anatomic resections
2024–25 alone

MyIntuitive platform data, February 2020–March 2026. Console time = median time at da Vinci surgical console per registered case.

Robotic vs Open Surgery

What the difference means
for your recovery.

For many patients, the most important question is not about survival statistics — it is about what recovery actually feels like, and how quickly they can return to normal life.

Open Surgery

  • Large incision across the chest wall
  • Ribs spread or divided for access
  • Hospital stay typically 5–7 days
  • Post-operative pain can be significant
  • Return to normal activity: 6–12 weeks
  • Higher risk of prolonged chest wall pain

Robotic Surgery

  • 3–4 small incisions (1–2cm each)
  • No rib spreading or division
  • Hospital stay typically 2–4 days
  • Significantly less post-operative pain
  • Return to normal activity: 2–4 weeks
  • Superior lymph node dissection
For Patients

Who benefits most from
robotic lung surgery?

Robotic surgery is appropriate for most patients requiring lung resection. It is particularly valuable for those where precise, lung-sparing surgery is the priority.

01

Lung cancer at any stage

Robotic lobectomy or segmentectomy for early to locally advanced lung cancer, with superior lymph node clearance.

02

Emphysema & COPD

Patients with reduced lung reserve need lung-sparing surgery. Robotic segmentectomy preserves healthy tissue that open surgery cannot protect.

03

Complex mediastinal tumours

Robotic access and three-dimensional vision allow precise dissection around major vessels and structures in the chest.

04

Thoracic outlet syndrome

Robotic first rib resection offers a precise, minimally invasive approach with significantly less trauma than open techniques.

05

Thymectomy for thymoma

Robotic thymectomy allows complete gland removal with excellent access to both sides of the mediastinum through small incisions.

06

Active patients & professionals

Faster recovery means returning to work, sport, and family life weeks sooner than with open surgery.

The Integrated Pathway

From biopsy to surgery —
one integrated private pathway.

For patients with lung nodules, robotic surgery is the final step in a complete diagnostic and treatment pathway available privately through London Bridge Hospital.

The ION robotic bronchoscopy system navigates to the nodule and takes a tissue biopsy. At the same time, a small fluorescent dye marker is placed at the site. If surgery is needed, the da Vinci robotic system's infrared camera detects that marker and guides the resection precisely to the nodule — enabling a segmentectomy rather than a full lobectomy in many cases.

This integrated ION-to-da Vinci pathway is privately accessible at London Bridge Hospital — the first centre in Europe to offer ION bronchoscopy in routine clinical practice outside NHS research trials — with appointments available within days.

Explore the Lung Nodule Precision Pathway →
Is Robotic Surgery Right For You?

Patients who should consider
a robotic surgery consultation.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Dr Lawrence Okiror, Consultant Thoracic and Robotic Surgeon (GMC 6150382), performs robotic lung surgery privately at London Bridge Hospital. He is based at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust — the UK's largest thoracic robotic surgery programme — where 71.3% of anatomic resections are performed robotically, more than double the 24% national average. Private consultations are available within 2–3 days. Self-referrals welcome.

Dr Lawrence Okiror is a Consultant Thoracic and Robotic Surgeon specialising in robotic lung surgery in London. He sits on the RCSEd Surgical Specialty Board in Cardiothoracic Surgery and, nominated by the Board, represents the specialty on the College's Robotic Surgery Taskforce, and has completed over 333 registered robotic cases with a median console time of 84 minutes. He operates privately at London Bridge Hospital with consultations available within 2–3 days. Self-referrals welcome.

Most patients spend 2–4 days in hospital after robotic lung surgery and return to normal activities within 2–4 weeks. This compares favourably with open surgery, which typically requires 5–7 days in hospital and 6–12 weeks of recovery. Segmentectomy (partial lobe removal) generally allows faster recovery than lobectomy (full lobe). Dr Okiror will advise on your expected recovery at consultation.

For most patients requiring lung resection, robotic surgery offers significant advantages: smaller incisions, no rib spreading, less pain, shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery. Research confirms that robotic surgery also achieves superior lymph node dissection — which independently predicts better long-term survival in lung cancer. At GSTT, the operative survival rate for robotic lung cancer surgery is 99.59%, against a national average of 98.5% (SCTS 2024–25).

No. You can self-refer directly to Dr Okiror without a GP letter. Most patients are seen for a consultation within 2–3 days of contacting the practice. At that appointment, Dr Okiror will review your scans personally and advise whether robotic surgery is the right approach for your situation.

A lobectomy removes an entire lobe of the lung. A segmentectomy removes only the specific anatomical segment containing the tumour, preserving more healthy lung. For tumours under 2cm, major trials — JCOG0802 (Lancet, 2022) and CALGB 140503 (NEJM, 2023) — confirm equivalent cancer outcomes with better preservation of lung function. Dr Okiror performs robotic segmentectomy, where the da Vinci's precision and 3D vision allow the smallest appropriate operation in every case.

Experience & Credentials

Setting the standard
in robotic thoracic surgery

  • FRCS (CTh) — Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of England
    FRCSEd (CTh) — Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

  • Member, Surgical Specialty Board in Cardiothoracic Surgery, RCSEd — nominated by the Board as its representative to the College’s Robotic Surgery Taskforce. Listen: RCSEd podcast on robot-assisted thoracic surgery →

  • NHS base at Guy’s and St Thomas’ — UK’s largest thoracic robotic programme and largest lung cancer surgery centre, performing 71.3% of anatomic resections robotically vs 24% nationally (SCTS 2024–25)

  • Examiner — UK Intercollegiate Board in Cardiothoracic Surgery & European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Over 30 peer-reviewed publications including research on robotic surgical technique and lung cancer outcomes

  • Private practice at London Bridge Hospital and The Lister Hospital, Chelsea

Ready to discuss
your options?

Dr Okiror accepts a limited number of new private patients — appointments within 2–3 days

Request a consultation → Lung Nodule Precision Pathway
Or send a confidential enquiry →

Call Jo: 020 7952 2882
pa@lungsurgeon.co.uk  ·  Self-referrals welcome

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