Professor Christopher Eden

Every operation at Santis is planned and performed by the same surgeon. This is his record.

Profile

A career built on keyhole prostate surgery

Professor Eden has practised keyhole surgery for prostate cancer since 2000, when he performed the first laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in the UK. He introduced a modification of the Retzius-sparing approach, which is associated with an earlier return of urinary continence, and he collects and publishes his own outcomes in peer-reviewed journals.

His current clinical research focuses on surgery for high-risk prostate cancer, and on extended pelvic lymphadenectomy for intermediate-risk disease.

GMC reference number: 3081165
Qualifications: MBBS MS FRCS(Urol)
Specialism: Robotic and laparoscopic prostate cancer surgery
Consulting at: HCA Outpatients The Shard · Nuffield Health Guildford

Pioneering work

Six firsts in laparoscopic and robotic urology

1994
First laparoscopic pyeloplasty in the UK
Performed as a surgical trainee, at the point when keyhole surgery was still establishing itself in British urology.
2000
First laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in the UK
The operation that became the practice’s core work, and the start of an unbroken series that continues today.
2001
First laparoscopic radical cystectomy in the UK
Extending the same minimally invasive approach from the prostate to bladder cancer surgery.
2016
First Retzius-sparing robotic prostatectomy in the UK
The modification now used routinely here, and the subject of a feature in The Times when it was introduced.
2024
First Single Port robotic Retzius-sparing radical prostatectomy in Europe
2024
First Single Port robotic radical prostatectomy in the UK

Record

Volume and publication Both stated, both checkable

4,000+: Robotic and laparoscopic prostatectomies performed
50+: Peer-reviewed papers published
9: Book chapters, alongside a published book

Training

Where he trained London, Paris, Baltimore and Cleveland

Guy’s Hospital Medical School and King’s College School of Medicine and Dentistry
Qualified MBBS from the University of London in 1985, winning the prizes in both Surgery and Paediatrics.
Royal College of Surgeons
Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1995, followed by a Master of Surgery degree in 1997.
Institute Mutualiste Montsouris, Paris
Advanced kidney and prostate surgery training with the team that developed the laparoscopic approach to radical prostatectomy.
Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic
Further training in the United States, funded by a Travelling Fellowship from the Ethicon Foundation Fund.

Wider roles

Advisory and editorial work Beyond the operating theatre

Specialist Advisor to NICE
Advises the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in his specialism.
International Laparoscopy Prostate Cancer Working Group
Member of the international group working on technique and outcomes in laparoscopic prostate cancer surgery.
Journal reviewer
Reviews for European Urology (where he was named Reviewer of the Month in April 2010), the Asian Journal of Andrology, BJU International, The Journal of Urology, the Scandinavian Journal of Urology and Nephrology, and Urology.
Teaching and operating internationally
Has operated, lectured and taught laparoscopic urology across Europe, Africa, America, Asia and Australasia.

Qualifications and awards

Recognised over four decades From 1984 onwards

1984Almond Prize in Diseases of Children
1985Legg Prize in Surgery
1994Everidge Research Prize in Urology
1995Bard-Angiomed Urolink Travel Award
1995BAUS-Zeneca Video Prize
1997Ethicon Foundation Fund Travelling Fellowship
1997Royal College of Surgeons Foundation Inc., New York, Travelling Fellowship
2007Independent Healthcare Award for Medical Practice
2012Highly Commended, UK Quality in Care in Oncology Awards
2025Winner: Best Prostate Cancer Surgery Clinic in the Greater London Enterprise Awards
2025Winner: Patient Care Excellence in the Greater London Enterprise Awards
2026Winner: Prostate Surgery Innovators of the Year in the Greater London Enterprise Awards

Probably the leader in the field of keyhole radical prostatectomy.

A Daily Mail poll of 40 UK Consultant Urologists

Outside the theatre

Away from surgery Flying, diving, distance and photography

Professor Eden is an instrument-rated private pilot and a PADI Advanced Open Water diver, and a veteran of marathons and triathlons. He is currently studying for a BA (Hons) in Photography.