Mr Mike Tilston is a Consultant General and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon at HMT St Hugh’s Hospital in Grimsby, with over twenty-five years of consultant experience. His practice centres on laparoscopic, or keyhole, surgery for gallstones, antireflux surgery and complex hiatal surgery, along with abdominal and inguinal hernia repair and a high volume of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. He has a specialist interest in Barrett’s oesophagus.

Gallstones and hernias are the two things people most often live with for far longer than they need to. A hernia that has been “fine, mostly” for three years, or gallbladder attacks that have quietly reorganised what someone eats. Both are routine to fix, and both are usually done by keyhole surgery, which means a short stay and a quick return to normal. After twenty-five years and several thousand of these operations, Mr Tilston is unlikely to be surprised by anything you bring him.

About Mr Tilston

Based in Grimsby and providing care across the surrounding area including Hull, his surgical practice focuses on laparoscopic surgery for gallstones, antireflux surgery, and complex hiatal surgery. That includes revision fundoplication, which is redoing a previous antireflux operation that has failed or loosened, and surgery for oesophageal conditions such as achalasia, where the muscle at the bottom of the gullet does not relax properly, and swallowing becomes difficult. Complex revision hiatal work is demanding surgery that relatively few general surgeons take on.

He is also highly experienced in abdominal and inguinal hernia repair and performs a large number of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopies.

Barrett’s oesophagus is a particular specialist interest. This is a change in the cells lining the lower gullet caused by long-term acid reflux, and while it is not cancer, it does carry a small increased risk, which is why it needs monitoring once diagnosed. Mr Tilston established a radiofrequency ablation service for Barrett’s oesophagus over a decade ago and provides a regional specialist ablation service for the condition.

Areas of expertise

Gallbladder and gallstones

• Gallstones
• Biliary colic and gallbladder attacks
• Cholecystitis
• Gallbladder pain

Hernia

• Inguinal (groin) hernia
• Abdominal and umbilical hernia
• Incisional hernia
• Recurrent hernia

Reflux and hiatal conditions

• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
• Persistent heartburn and acid reflux
• Hiatus hernia, including large and complex hiatus hernia
• Failed or recurrent previous antireflux surgery
• Barrett’s oesophagus and Barrett’s surveillance

Oesophageal conditions

• Achalasia
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Oesophageal strictures and narrowing

Endoscopy

• Diagnostic upper GI endoscopy (gastroscopy)
• Therapeutic endoscopy
• Barrett’s surveillance endoscopy

General surgery

• General surgical assessment and diagnosis
• Abdominal pain investigation
• Second opinion on upper GI conditions