If you’d like to discuss any symptoms or concerns with Mr Bille, or you’d just like a second opinion, you can call, email or book an appointment here.
Mr Andrea Bille
One of the UK’s leading robotic cardiothoracic surgeons
- Specialising in minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery
- 1,800 robotic procedures successfully performed, the most by any UK surgeon
- Advanced approaches for complex thymomas and mediastinal tumours
- Skilled treatments for lung cancer and benign conditions
- Expert in surgical treatment of mesothelioma
Expert Cardiothoracic Surgery
Reduced risk and faster recovery
Mr Andrea Bille is a leading cardiothoracic surgeon who specialises in thoracic cancers, endometriosis and chest wall disease. He has performed over 5,000 thoracic procedures. His career has been dedicated to delivering compassionate, patient-led care, ensuring you receive a thorough diagnosis, clear answers and a fast track to the best treatment pathway for you.
Together with his specialist team, Mr Bille conducts around 300 robotic surgical procedures every year. Robotic surgery is increasingly popular, as many procedures no longer require an open approach. These techniques mean a faster recovery, with less time spent in hospital and a lower risk of complications.
Mr Bille has the proven technical expertise, empathy and clarity of communication you and your family can rely on. If you’d like to talk about your next steps, we’re here to help.
“My experience under Mr Bille's care was first class, and the procedure I had went exactly to plan. My recovery has been quicker and better than I thought. Very highly recommended.”
“Needing a second opinion and reassurance, I reached out to Mr Bille's secretary. I was offered a consultation and haven't looked back. Mr Bille was professional, very knowledgeable, respectful and put me at ease instantly.”
“Very kind, clear in communication, with perfect manners and amazing ability.”
“I highly recommend Mr Bille to anyone looking for a compassionate, highly skilled and knowledgeable surgeon who is also a lovely person!”
State-of-the-art cardiothoracic diagnostics
As one of the UK’s leading experts in cardiothoracic conditions, Mr Bille can provide you with a fast and accurate diagnosis. As part of your treatment, he may recommend tests such as a PET scan, an MRI, a detailed EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound) scan or a robotic bronchoscopy to get a detailed understanding of your lung condition and establish the best treatment for your specific case.
If small lung nodules are detected, these tests enable Mr Bille to make a safe, in-depth analysis. Even if the nodules are very small (4mm), he can quickly get the information he needs to proceed with your treatment, often within the same week as your initial assessment or tests.
He may also recommend carrying out other investigative approaches, including:
Personalised, empathetic and patient-led care
Mr Bille is determined to make sure you feel expertly cared for and have all the information you need at every stage of your treatment. He’s focused on creating a patient-led experience, so that you have clear answers to any questions, can take an active role in decisions about your care and understand the best treatment approach for your condition.
Mr Bille can diagnose and treat a wide range of cardiothoracic conditions, including:
- Lung cancer (early to advanced stages)
- Metastatic cancer in the lung
- Mesothelioma
- Thymoma
- Thoracic endometriosis
- Chest wall trauma
- Pneumothorax
- Pleural space infections (empyema)
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Airway conditions
- Emphysema
- Hyperhidrosis
- Pleural effusion (benign and malignant)
- Slipped rib syndrome and rib fractures
Expert treatment and outstanding results
With Mr Bille, you’re in exceptionally skilled and safe hands. He regularly performs a wide range of lung cancer and thymoma procedures, as well as treating benign lung conditions.
His specialist cardiothoracic treatments include:
- Robotic surgery for lung cancer
- Multi-specialist surgical approach working with cardiac and head and neck surgeons to treat an extensive thymoma
- Mesothelioma surgery
- Surgery for slipped rib syndrome (Hansen technique)
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
- Rib fixation with titanium plates
- Marking and coiling of lung nodules that may need removing
- Robotic resection of lung metastases from other cancers
Advanced robotic approaches for a faster recovery
Embracing innovative technologies can help deliver better health outcomes for patients. Mr Bille has developed a particular specialism in advanced, robotically assisted, minimally invasive surgical techniques to reduce your time in theatre and speed up your recovery.
Using this state-of-the-art technology, Mr Bille can perform the following robotically assisted surgical treatments:
- Diaphragm surgery for endometriosis
- Hyperhidrosis surgery
- Surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome
- Lung resection
- Resection of mediastinal tumours
- Repair of diaphragmatic hernia
FAQs
Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive technique designed to help your surgeon operate with pinpoint accuracy. Mr Bille uses this technology to control tiny instruments mounted on robotic arms, which he can see and operate via a high-definition camera console.
The size of these instruments, the precision of their movement (the robotic arms have tremor filtration) and the fact that Mr Bille can see your lungs in 3D all contribute to enhanced dexterity. This means he can work confidently in hard-to-reach cardiothoracic spaces.
Mr Bille is experienced in using the Intuitive da Vinci Xi system for multiport surgery, which allows for multiple robotic arms through several small incisions, and the Intuitive Da Vinci Sp system for single port procedures, which uses one robotic arm through a single incision.
Robotic surgery is considered to have benefits over traditional open surgery because it only requires you to have small incisions. You’ll experience less pain, reduced blood loss and have a lower infection risk. It also means a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery.
It’ll take you at least a few weeks to recover after most forms of lung surgery. After robotic surgery, you’ll usually need to stay in hospital for two or three days before returning home to recuperate and begin your return to regular activity.
Total recovery may take a few months. It can vary according to the type of surgery you’ve had, and how fit you were before your operation.
Mr Bille will be on hand to give you all the information you need about your recovery. That will include specific advice about the best way to manage any pain, and specialist breathing exercises that will help to strengthen your lungs.
You’ll need to avoid heavy lifting, but it’s a good idea to keep up with gentle movements and cardiovascular exercise, as they can prevent complications developing.
Mr Bille will give you detailed advice about how soon you can get back to driving or flying. Your recovery times will be personal to you, and they’ll depend on the specific type of surgery you've had, but these general guidelines can be useful:
- Keyhole surgery: You can usually drive or fly 2 to 4 weeks after surgery
- Open surgery: You can usually drive or fly 6 to 12 weeks after surgery
Mr Bille will usually carry out your procedure using robotic surgery. This is a minimally invasive keyhole approach that uses smaller incisions than open surgery, which allows you to heal faster.
You’ll usually need to stay in hospital for two or three days after your operation. You should then be able to make a gradual return to light activities over the first couple of weeks, and then fully recover within four to eight weeks, depending on the extent of your surgery.
Yes, especially if Mr Bille can carry out a complete resection. If you have an advanced tumour that’s spread to your pleura or pericardium, he may also consider surgical approaches to remove as much of it as possible, which can help to improve your long-term outcomes.
In many cases, your surgery will be one part of a highly specialised treatment plan from a multidisciplinary team here at HCA UK, involving chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other treatments.
Mr Bille will always talk you through your specific case and your potential treatment options in full before he makes any recommendations.