Qualifications: Abdominal wall reconstruction Cadaver course. Optimization in advanced hernia repair techniques. Amsterdam skills centre, Netherlands (2024), Advanced Coloproctology course (2024), Masterclass of haemorrhoidal treatment (2021), Proctology Masterclass (2019), Advanced Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery course (2018), Video Assisted Anal Fistula Treatment (VAAFT)Colorectal Training Workshop (2016), Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery 2 days’ hands-on Cadaver Course (2016)
GMC Number: 7407970
Clinical Areas of Interest: Abscess, fistula and fissures, Benign tumours and polyps, Diverticular disease, Emergency general surgery, Lower GI endoscopy, Perianal conditions, Rectal bleeding and Stomas
Regional Chapter: South East Thames
Biography
Mr Athanasios Voutsarakis is a highly skilled Laparoscopic General and Colorectal Consultant Surgeon with extensive experience in colorectal cancer surgery, pelvic exenteration, benign anorectal diseases and abdominal wall reconstruction for complex hernias. He completed his medical training at the Medical School of Athens and pursued his specialist training at ‘Laiko’ University Hospital, Athens. In 2012, he qualified as a Consultant General Surgeon and has since gained advanced expertise through fellowships at prestigious institutions in London.
Mr Voutsarakis has been trained in advanced colorectal cancer surgery and pelvic exenteration at the Royal Marsden Hospital, as well as in pelvic floor disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and benign anorectal diseases at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital. His expertise includes the treatment of haemorrhoids, anal fistulae, anal fissures, and pilonidal sinus surgery. Furthering his specialisation, he subspecialised in complex hernia repair and abdominal wall reconstruction at UCLH and honed his skills in minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery as a Senior Colorectal Fellow at King’s College Hospital.
Currently, Mr Voutsarakis serves as a Consultant Emergency General and Colorectal Surgeon at The Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust, based at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital. He has previously worked as a Locum Laparoscopic Colorectal and General Surgeon at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (Basildon Hospital). His extensive experience allows him to offer a comprehensive range of surgical solutions to patients requiring both elective and emergency care.
Areas of Expertise
Mr Voutsarakis has a particular focus on complex hernia repair and abdominal wall reconstruction surgery, treating patients with incisional and recurrent hernias, epigastric and ventral hernias, umbilical hernias, inguinal hernias, and femoral hernias. In addition to his expertise in hernia surgery, he is highly specialised in:
Proctology
Haemorrhoids
Anal fissures
Anal fistulas
Anal skin tags
Pilonidal sinus disease
Appendicectomy
Adhesiolysis
Biopsy
Stoma formation
General surgical pathologies
Clinical Practice and Private Interests
In private practice, Mr Voutsarakis is recognised for his expertise in proctology, with a special interest in the management of haemorrhoids, anal fissures, skin tags, pilonidal disease, and fistulas. He is also an experienced endoscopist, performing both diagnostic and therapeutic (polypectomy) colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. His reputation as a leading hernia specialist is reinforced by his role as the lead for complex hernia repair at Barnet Hospital, where he performs one of the highest volumes of open inguinal hernia repairs per year in North London, with an exceptionally low recurrence rate of less than 0.5%.
Teaching and Research
Beyond his clinical practice, Mr Voutsarakis is deeply committed to education and training. He is the lead for the education and training of resident doctors in the surgical department at Barnet Hospital and serves as an educational supervisor for medical students. His passion for education is reflected in his leadership and supervision of numerous quality improvement projects and audits. He has also contributed significantly to surgical research, publishing several papers on colorectal and general surgery topics. His dedication to mentoring and professional development ensures that the next generation of surgeons receives high-quality training under his guidance.
Personal Interests
Outside of his professional commitments, Mr Voutsarakis enjoys a well-rounded lifestyle. He is married to a Consultant Paediatric Rheumatologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and lives in Enfield with their young daughter. With a strong interest in nutrition and healthy living, he incorporates a balanced diet and regular physical activity into his daily routine, engaging in Pilates and gymnastics to maintain his physical fitness. Fluent in both English and Greek (his native language), he is able to communicate effectively with a diverse patient population, further enhancing his ability to provide high-quality, patient-centred care. His dedication to both his career and personal well-being allows him to bring a well-rounded perspective to his practice, ensuring the highest level of care for his patients.