All you need to know about minimally invasive gallstone surgery

By Mr Lalin Navaratne
Surgery

Mr Lalin Navaratne is a highly accomplished consultant general, upper GI, and trauma surgeon based in London, specialising in the treatment of cholelithiasis (gallstones), choledocholithiasis (common bile duct stones), acid reflux and hiatal hernia, and abdominal wall hernia including abdominal wall reconstruction, incisional hernia, epigastric hernia, umbilical hernia, inguinal hernia and femoral hernia. He privately practises at The Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital and his NHS base is Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
 
Mr Navaratne graduated first in his class (awarded the Broderip and Atchison prize for best overall performance in MBBS examinations) with distinction from the prestigious University College London (UCL) Medical School, consistently ranked among the top 10 medical schools worldwide. During his time at UCL, he also completed an intercalated Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Anatomy, graduating at the top of his class with First Class honours and receiving recognition on the Dean’s list. Following medical school, Mr Navaratne completed his postgraduate surgical training at several renowned London institutions, including the Royal London Hospital (Barts Health NHS Trust), the Royal Marsden Hospital and St Mary's Hospital (Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust). His advanced surgical training was further strengthened through a Major Trauma fellowship at the Level 1 Major Trauma Centre at St Mary's Hospital. Mr Navaratne also undertook travelling fellowships to Kingston, Jamaica, where he focused on complex abdominal trauma, particularly gunshot injuries, and to Hospital San Carlos in Madrid as part of the David Dunn Fellowship in Upper GI Surgery. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.
 
Mr Navaratne’s sub-specialty interests include managing gallstone-related complications, such as biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, obstructive jaundice and gallstone pancreatitis. He is proficient in performing both elective and emergency cholecystectomy, as well as laparoscopic common bile duct exploration, ensuring a comprehensive approach to patient care. Additionally, he is highly skilled in the surgical management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) including laparoscopic fundoplication and insertion of the LINX device and all types of abdominal wall hernia (incisional, ventral, epigastric, umbilical, paraumbilical, inguinal and femoral).
 
In addition to his civilian practice, Mr Navaratne serves as an active Lieutenant Colonel in the British Armed Forces, where he applies his expertise in trauma and general surgery. His dual role in both military and civilian healthcare provides him with a unique perspective and a deep understanding of complex surgical cases.
 
Mr Navaratne is also a respected academic. He has authored several book chapters and is the author of the only textbook on laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE). His research has been published in over 50 peer-reviewed medical journals and books, and he has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious David Dunn Medal from the Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ALSGBI).
 
As a leader in the field of general and upper GI surgery, Mr Navaratne remains committed to providing high-quality, patient-centred care. His contributions to advancing surgical techniques and his dedication to mentoring and teaching the next generation of surgeons underscore his significant impact on the field.

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