Professor Howard Lau

FRACS (Urol), MBBS (Syd)

Professor Howard Lau Sydney Urological and Robotic Surgeons

Professor Howard Lau is a specialist urological surgeon who is widely respected internationally and world renowned for his contribution to the field of minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of urological diseases.

He is a Conjoint Professor at the Western Sydney University School of Medicine, Head of Urology and Robotics Surgery and Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council at Westmead Private Hospital. He has been appointed as an Examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons for the Court of Urology since 2015.

His subspecialty interest includes kidney cancer surgery, treatment of benign and malignant diseases of the prostate, robotic and laparoscopic (or ‘keyhole’) surgery, and adrenal surgery.

Professor Lau graduated from the University of Sydney Medical School in 1986 and received his postgraduate urological training in Sydney. He completed his post-fellowship training in transplantation surgery at Oxford University in 1995, and was subsequently appointed as Clinical Lecturer at The Oxford Transplant Centre.

Professor Lau is a pioneer in the field of laparoscopic and robotic surgery. He has performed many ‘firsts’ in Australia:

  • Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (kidney removal using keyhole surgery) in 1988

  • Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in 2002

  • Robotic partial nephrectomy with Firefly technology in 2013

  • Robotic kidney transplant in 2019

  • Versius robotic radical nephrectomy in 2020  

Professor Lau is actively involved in the training of the next generation of urological and robotic surgeons. His skill and surgical expertise is held in the highest regard amongst the urological community. He is regarded by his peers as the leading urologist, especially in the field of kidney surgery and minimally invasive surgery. He has been invited to proctor fully qualified surgeons in robotic surgery, and demonstrated live surgery in numerous workshops and conferences both within Australia and internationally.

Professor Lau contributes widely to research and academia. He has published numerous peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters.

Professor Lau is a consultant urological surgeon at Westmead Private Hospital, Macquarie University Private Hospital, Westmead Public Hospital and Lakeview Private Hospital.