Mr Nigel D'souza

Mr Nigel D’Souza is a Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon at University Hospital Southampton, with private practices at Spire Southampton Hospital and Nuffield Health Wessex Hospital. He provides specialist assessment and treatment for bowel and rectal conditions, colorectal cancer and abdominal wall hernias for patients from Southampton, Winchester, Hampshire and the wider South Coast. He graduated from University College London in 2007 and trained in London, Oxford, South Africa and Wessex, including at St George’s Hospital, the John Radcliffe Hospital, Queen Alexandra Hospital and University Hospital Southampton. After completing UK surgical training, he undertook two years of advanced international fellowship training in Sydney, Australia. At Concord Repatriation General Hospital he developed expertise in minimally invasive colorectal and general surgery. He subsequently trained in complex colorectal cancer surgery with Professor Michael Solomon at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. His practice is shaped by extensive UK training and specialist fellowship experience at leading centres in Sydney. Mr D’Souza specialises in robotic and laparoscopic (keyhole) colorectal surgery, including surgery for colon cancer, rectal cancer, diverticular disease and inflammatory bowel disease. He has a particular interest in early rectal cancer, complex rectal polyps and organ-preserving treatments. He performs Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) for carefully selected patients, where appropriate. His general surgical practice includes robotic, laparoscopic and open repair of inguinal (groin), femoral, umbilical, incisional and recurrent hernias. He also treats haemorrhoids, anal fissures, anal fistulas, perianal abscesses and pilonidal disease. As a JAG-accredited endoscopist, he performs diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy for symptoms including rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit and abdominal pain, as well as the assessment and removal of bowel polyps. Mr D’Souza was awarded a PhD in Surgery and Cancer by Imperial College London following colorectal cancer research at Croydon University Hospital and the Royal Marsden. His research into the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) helped change national practice and was recognised in NICE guidance. It received the Moynihan Prize, BJS Prize and John of Arderne Medal. In 2025, he received the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract Travel Exchange Award and visited the University of Minnesota. He remains actively involved in research as principal investigator for national and international clinical trials at Southampton. He is committed to clear explanations, shared decision-making and personalised, evidence-based care, helping patients understand their diagnosis and the full range of appropriate treatment options.

Mr D’Souza’s principal interests are colorectal cancer, early rectal cancer, complex colorectal polyps, colonoscopy, benign colorectal conditions and minimally invasive colorectal and hernia surgery. Colorectal cancer and early rectal cancer: assessment and surgical treatment of colon and rectal cancer using robotic, laparoscopic (keyhole) and open techniques. He has particular expertise in early rectal cancer and organ-preserving approaches, including Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) for selected rectal tumours and complex polyps. He works within a specialist multidisciplinary team to tailor treatment to the individual. Colonoscopy and bowel symptoms: JAG-accredited diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy for rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, change in bowel habit, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss and positive faecal immunochemical tests (FIT). He assesses and removes colorectal polyps where appropriate. Proctology and benign colorectal disease: investigation and treatment of haemorrhoids (piles), anal fissures, anal fistulas, perianal abscesses, anal pain, pilonidal disease, diverticular disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Treatment options include haemorrhoid banding, haemorrhoidectomy, Botox treatment for anal fissure, fistula surgery and seton insertion. Hernia surgery: robotic, laparoscopic and open repair of inguinal (groin), femoral, umbilical, epigastric, ventral, incisional and recurrent hernias, including bilateral inguinal hernia repair. He selects the operative approach according to the type of hernia, previous surgery and each patient’s priorities. Other interests include bowel resection, stoma formation and reversal, Hartmann’s reversal, appendicectomy, adhesiolysis and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS).