An exciting innovation session at The Surgeon Show 2026 will spotlight a groundbreaking collaboration between Ms. Shweta Aggarwal, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust, and Lara Zaki, Senior FEI Innovation & Strategy Consultant at Team Consulting.
Taking place on Friday 20 February 2026 at the Minster Building, Central London, their session - titled “Controlling Incisions in Breast Surgery - An Agile Device Innovation Journey” - will reveal how a structured, user-centred design process led to the creation of an innovative surgical device to improve precision in oncoplastic breast surgery.
The device was born from a simple but significant challenge: how to ensure perfectly circular incisions around the nipple areolar complex, a critical step in many breast cancer and reconstructive procedures. Traditionally, surgeons draw a guide to mark the incision line, but cutting by hand relies heavily on skill and can vary between operators.
Determined to improve precision and consistency, Ms. Aggarwal partnered with Team Consulting to explore a new approach. The design journey began with live clinical observation, enabling the design team to study the intricacies of the surgical workflow. Using an agile, iterative process, they developed and tested a range of concepts, evaluating each for technical feasibility, clinical utility, commercial potential and sustainability.
The resulting device is a reusable, ergonomic solution that integrates seamlessly into existing surgical practices, helping any operator achieve safe, consistent circular incisions and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Lara Zaki said: “Working with Ms. Aggarwal to bring this idea to life has been a great example of how close collaboration with surgeons in the early stages of device development can drive meaningful innovation to solve real clinical challenges. This collaboration allowed us to thoroughly understand the nuances of the procedure and efficiently evaluate the clinical feasibility of a range of technical ideas before investing in one solution, ultimately de-risking the development.
During the session, Aggarwal and Zaki will share key insights from their journey, demonstrating how interdisciplinary innovation can transform clinical needs into scalable solutions.
Key takeaways will include:
- How an agile, user-centred design process can de-risk medical device development and meet real surgical needs.
- The value of live clinical observation and cross-disciplinary teamwork in creating practical solutions that enhance capabilities while integrating into existing workflows.
- Practical insights on translating clinical challenges into innovative, and viable solutions that improve patient outcomes.
The Surgeon Show 2026 brings together the UK’s most respected surgical voices for a day of informed, honest discussion. Held on Friday, 20 February 2026, at The Minster Building, Central London, the invitation-only summit is designed for consultants, clinical directors, policymakers and innovators leading the next era of surgery.
Far from a traditional conference, The Surgeon Show is a dynamic, conversation-led gathering where every perspective counts and every voice can shape the future of surgical practice. From main stage sessions to breakout discussions, the event encourages open dialogue on what truly matters in modern surgery from the operating theatres of the future to the transformative power of AI, robotics and new technologies.
The free event is invitation only, register your interest here
