Consultant Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon
Mr Shanka Benaragama
MBBS · MS · MRCS (Glasg) · FRCS (Vasc)
Consultant-led expertise in arterial, venous and complex vascular disease, combining specialist surgical experience with modern endovascular treatment.
Professional Biography
Specialist expertise across complex vascular disease
Mr Shanka Benaragama is a Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and University College London Hospitals, and an Honorary Associate Professor at University College London.
He completed higher general and vascular surgical training across Oxford, London and Cambridge, with placements including the Royal Free Hospital, UCLH, Wexham Park Hospital and Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
He subsequently completed the National Lower Limb Salvage Fellowship, developing advanced experience in lower-limb revascularisation, diabetic foot disease, complex wound management and limb preservation.
His practice spans the full range of open and endovascular arterial and venous intervention, allowing treatment to be tailored to the individual patient and the nature of their vascular disease.
His specialist interests include peripheral arterial disease, diabetic foot disease, carotid disease, aortic aneurysms, varicose and deep venous disease, lymphoedema, thoracic outlet syndrome and hyperhidrosis.
Clinical Leadership
Leadership across major London vascular services
Alongside his consultant practice, Mr Benaragama holds leadership responsibilities across lower-limb vascular disease, hyperhidrosis and carotid care.
Diabetic Foot & Lower Limb Revascularisation
Service Lead for diabetic foot disease and complex lower-limb revascularisation at University College London Hospital.
Hyperhidrosis
Service Lead for hyperhidrosis management at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.
Vascular Surgery
Deputy Service Lead for Vascular Surgery at University College London Hospital.
Carotid Disease
Deputy Lead for carotid disease within the North Central London Vascular Network.
Training & Development
Advanced surgical and leadership training
Mr Benaragama’s training has combined specialist vascular surgery with formal development in healthcare leadership and service improvement.
He completed the Management and Leadership Resident programme at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School and has gone on to direct management, leadership and quality-improvement programmes within the NHS.
Oxford, London & Cambridge
Including Royal Free, UCLH, Wexham Park and Addenbrooke’s.
National Lower Limb Salvage Fellowship
Advanced experience in lower-limb revascularisation and limb preservation.
Cambridge Judge Business School
Management and Leadership Resident programme.
Clinical Expertise
A broad specialist vascular practice
Specialist assessment and treatment across arterial, venous and complex vascular conditions.
Lower Limb Arterial Disease
Peripheral arterial disease, lower-limb revascularisation, angioplasty, stenting, bypass surgery and limb-preservation strategies.
Diabetic Foot & Complex Wounds
Specialist vascular care for diabetic foot disease, ulcers and complex limb-threatening circulation problems.
Venous Disease
Varicose veins, deep venous disease, venous ulcers and modern minimally invasive venous treatment.
Carotid Disease
Assessment and treatment of carotid stenosis and vascular disease associated with stroke risk.
Aortic & Aneurysm Disease
Open and endovascular treatment planning for aortic and visceral artery aneurysms.
Hyperhidrosis
Specialist treatment of excessive sweating, including complex hyperhidrosis management.
Contributing to the development of hyperhidrosis guidance
Mr Benaragama has been selected as a clinical expert contributing to NICE work relating to guidance and treatment for hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis
Specialist expertise in an often overlooked condition
Hyperhidrosis can have a significant physical, psychological and social impact, yet it remains under-recognised and undertreated.
Mr Benaragama leads the hyperhidrosis service at Royal Free London and has developed particular expertise in the assessment and treatment of complex excessive sweating.
His work also includes professional education for GPs and clinicians on treatment pathways including iontophoresis, botulinum toxin treatment and other therapeutic options.
Research & Academic Medicine
Research that informs vascular practice
Mr Benaragama is actively involved in clinical vascular research, particularly in carotid disease and peripheral arterial disease.
Outcomes after carotid endarterectomy in patients following stroke
Research analysing UK National Vascular Registry data to examine peri-operative outcomes after carotid endarterectomy.
Antithrombotic therapy after carotid endarterectomy
International research examining practice patterns and treatment strategies following surgery for symptomatic carotid disease.
Carotid and peripheral arterial disease
His wider academic work includes research into carotid disease, peripheral vascular disease, aneurysm management and endovascular intervention.
Teaching & Surgical Education
Supporting the next generation of vascular surgeons
Alongside clinical practice and research, Mr Benaragama remains actively involved in vascular surgical education and postgraduate examination preparation.
His recent teaching includes FRCS Vascular Surgery examination preparation, mock examinations and focused teaching in lower-limb vascular surgery.
He also directs management, leadership and quality-improvement programmes within the NHS.
Approach to Care
Specialist care centred around clear decisions and individual needs
Vascular treatment can range from reassurance and surveillance to minimally invasive intervention or open surgery. The aim is to establish the correct diagnosis, explain the options clearly and select the most appropriate treatment for each patient.
Detailed review of symptoms, medical history and vascular findings.
Diagnosis and treatment choices explained in understandable terms.
Open and minimally invasive options considered according to the patient’s needs.
Private Practice
Private consultations in London
Mr Benaragama sees private patients across four established clinic locations.
Royal Free Private Patients
Bishops Wood Hospital
LIPS Healthcare Battersea
King Edward VII’s Hospital
Appointments & Enquiries
Request a consultation with Mr Shanka Benaragama
To enquire about a private vascular consultation, please contact the practice by email.
Email to Request a Consultation → benaragama.admin@lips.org.uk