Dr. James Douglas Aitchison

Dr. James Douglas Aitchison is a UK-certified Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon with over 12 years of experience at major cardiac centres in England before relocating to the UAE. He trained at leading UK institutions including Freeman Hospital and Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, and completed advanced fellowship training at Washington University in St. Louis, USA. He holds an MD with distinction in lung transplantation from Newcastle University and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Dr. Aitchison specialises in both adult cardiac and thoracic surgery. In cardiac work, he performs coronary artery bypass grafting (on-pump and off-pump techniques), aortic valve replacement, and complex aortic surgery. In thoracic surgery, he treats lung cancer, chest trauma, pleural disease, chest wall tumours, and mediastinal masses. He is known for pioneering minimally invasive lung cancer surgery using keyhole (VATS) techniques, which reduce pain, hospital stay, and recovery time compared to open surgery. He also performs emergency rib and sternal repair after major trauma, tumour removal with chest wall reconstruction, and advanced bronchoscopy procedures including EBUS sampling.

At King's College Hospital Dubai, Dr. Aitchison continues his focus on complex cardiothoracic cases and teaching. He is a member of the Emirates Thoracic Society and the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (UK), and previously held the role of Head of Thoracic Surgery at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City in Abu Dhabi. He is an ideal choice for patients needing advanced heart or lung surgery, particularly those seeking minimally invasive approaches or complex trauma management.