Mr Rafal Niziol

Mr Raf Niziol is a leading consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon who combines technical excellence with a deeply personal approach to patient care. Based at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and with his dedicated private practice at Cromwell Hospital, Raf has built a reputation as one of the UK's most skilled specialists in head and neck cancer, complex nerve repair surgery, and second opinion consultations.

Specialist expertise where it matters most:
While Raf provides comprehensive care for the full spectrum of maxillofacial conditions affecting the face, jaw, mouth, and teeth, his true expertise lies in three critical areas.

His work in head and neck cancer surgery stands at the forefront of the field. Performing over 100 complex free flap reconstructive procedures annually with a 98% success rate, Raf is a key member of the specialist Head & Neck Cancer team at Cromwell Hospital. His philosophy is simple: your first chance is your best chance. He focuses on achieving clear surgical margins while minimising scarring and preserving function through advanced, minimally invasive techniques.

In microsurgical nerve repair, Raf offers something truly unique. As one of the few surgeons in the UK routinely performing lingual and inferior alveolar nerve repairs, he provides hope to patients experiencing numbness, pain, or altered sensation following wisdom tooth removal, jaw surgery, trauma, or cancer treatment. Using cutting-edge nerve graft technology, he can restore sensation without the need to harvest nerves from other parts of the body.

For patients seeking clarity and confidence in their treatment journey, Raf's expert second opinions draw on his extensive surgical experience and multidisciplinary team input. He provides thoughtful, thorough evaluations for patients navigating complex diagnoses, uncertain treatment plans, or seeking clarity after previous procedures that haven't fully met their needs.

A journey of excellence:
Raf's path to expertise began with his medical degree from St George's Hospital, University of London in 2010, followed by specialty training in London's highly competitive surgical environment. His Advanced Head and Neck Surgery Fellowship at Guy's Hospital prepared him for the complex cases that define his practice today.

His NHS work at Guy's Hospital handles the most challenging ablative and reconstructive cases, while his private practice at Cromwell Hospital and its affiliated clinics delivers world-class care in a setting renowned for managing high-volume, complex head and neck reconstructive procedures.

Beyond surgery: innovation and education:
Raf's commitment extends beyond the operating theatre. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to medical textbooks, sharing his expertise in head and neck cancer research. His presentations at national and international conferences help advance the field, while his pioneering work on the Enhanced Recovery Pathway for head and neck cancer patients at Cromwell Hospital demonstrates his dedication to improving patient outcomes.

Patient-centred philosophy:
With over 14 years of treating patients, Raf's approach is guided by a simple principle: every surgical decision should optimise your wellbeing and long-term quality of life. Whether performing life-saving cancer surgery or delicate nerve repair, he prioritises both aesthetic and functional outcomes, ensuring that technical precision serves your broader goals for recovery and quality of life.

For patients facing complex maxillofacial conditions, Raf offers not just surgical expertise, but the reassurance that comes from working with a surgeon who understands that behind every case is a person seeking the best possible outcome for their future.