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General surgery · 2026

Gallbladder surgery in China,
lap cholecystectomy from $3,500.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, single-incision SILS, robotic and complex hepatobiliary procedures. Same-day or 1-night discharge. Bilingual recovery plan and home-team handover.

Get a written quote Top hepatobiliary centres

$3,500–6,500

Lap cholecystectomy

vs $9,000–18,000 in the US

Partner clinic quotes 2024

Class A

Top centres

Zhongshan, PUMC, Ruijin, West China hepatobiliary

NHC ratings

Same-day

Discharge typical

For uncomplicated lap cholecystectomy

Industry standard

5–7

Days typical stay

Including pre-op and 1-night recovery

Industry guidance

Bilingual

Op note + path

Standard discharge package

Service standard

ERCP

Available same trip

For CBD stones or pre-op stenting

Centre programs

Tiers & pricing

Six tiers, transparent pricing.

Standard

Lap cholecystectomy (4-port)

Conventional 4-port. Most common. Same-day discharge typical. Fly in 5–7 days.

$3,500–5,500

Cosmetic

Single-incision (SILS)

Trans-umbilical single incision. Higher cost, similar outcomes; debatable cosmetic benefit.

$5,500–8,500

Robotic

Robotic cholecystectomy

da Vinci platform. Cost premium; outcomes equivalent to laparoscopic in routine cases.

$6,500–10,500

CBD stones

ERCP + sphincterotomy

For common bile duct stones. Often combined with same-trip cholecystectomy.

$2,500–4,500

Urgent

Acute cholecystitis pathway

Early lap cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis (within 7 days of onset).

$5,500–8,500

Specialist

Complex hepatobiliary

Choledochal cyst, complex CBD stricture, biliary reconstruction at hepatobiliary centres.

MDT-quoted

Top hospitals

Six centres
open to international patients.

Shanghai

Zhongshan Hospital 中山医院

China's leading hepatobiliary centre · Class A · large lap and robotic volume

Beijing

PUMC General Surgery 北京协和医院

Academic hepatobiliary · complex biliary reconstruction · diagnostic excellence

Shanghai

Ruijin Hospital 瑞金医院

Class A · MIS hepatobiliary · same-day surgery option

Chengdu

West China Hospital 华西医院

Class A · large hepatobiliary volume · complex biliary disease

Beijing

Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital 清华长庚医院

Strong hepatobiliary department · Taiwan + Mainland clinical practice integration

Multi-city

United Family Hospitals 和睦家

JCI · routine lap cholecystectomy · expat-focused English-first

Cost comparison

China vs US vs UK,
real pricing.

China
United States
United Kingdom
Lap cholecystectomy
$3,500–$5,500
$9,000–$18,000
£4,500–£8,000
Single-incision SILS
$5,500–$8,500
$12,000–$22,000
£6,500–£11,000
Robotic cholecystectomy
$6,500–$10,500
$15,000–$28,000
£8,500–£14,000
ERCP + sphincterotomy
$2,500–$4,500
$6,500–$12,000
£3,200–£5,500
Choledochal cyst excision (complex)
$10,000–$18,000
$30,000–$60,000
£15,000–£28,000

Sources: ACS published rates 2024, NHS / Bupa UK 2024, partner-hospital itemized quotes 2024–2025. Indicative; excludes airfare, accommodation and complications.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Is gallbladder surgery in China safe and routine?
Yes — laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the highest-volume general surgical procedures in China, with hundreds of thousands performed annually. Class A teaching hospital outcomes (mortality < 0.1%, major complication < 1%, bile duct injury < 0.3%) are within published international benchmarks. Top centres also offer ERCP within the same admission for common bile duct stones.
What does it cost and what's included?
Indicative all-in international-patient pricing: standard 4-port lap cholecystectomy $3,500–$5,500; SILS $5,500–$8,500; robotic $6,500–$10,500; ERCP if indicated $2,500–$4,500. Quotes include surgeon, anaesthesia, hospital stay (typically 1–2 days), standard imaging, intra-operative cholangiogram if indicated, and 30-day follow-up. Excludes airfare, accommodation, complications and complex bile duct exploration if needed.
Do I need imaging or can I just present?
We recommend recent imaging before booking: abdominal ultrasound (mandatory) and recent labs (LFTs, lipase, CBC). MRCP is recommended if there is dilated CBD on ultrasound or LFT abnormality. We accept records by encrypted upload and translate them at no charge. The hospital may repeat ultrasound on arrival per Chinese MOH protocol.
How long do I need to stay?
Standard pathway: arrival + same-day workup; surgery day; same-day or 1-night discharge; outpatient review at day 3–4; departure at day 5–7. Total 5–7 day trip. Long-haul flights are usually cleared at day 5–7 post-op for routine lap cholecystectomy.
What about acute cholecystitis presentation?
Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (within 7 days of acute symptom onset) is the standard of care globally and at top Chinese centres. If you present acutely while travelling, we coordinate emergency admission at a partner hospital with same-day surgical assessment. Travel insurance with elective-procedure complications cover should be confirmed before any travel where new symptoms could develop.

Related guides

Hernia Repair

Combined cholecystectomy + hernia repair where appropriate.

Read the guide

Post-Op Care

Aftercare and home-team handover after general surgery.

Read the guide

Second Opinion

Independent surgical second opinion before complex repair.

Read the guide

Travel Insurance

Coverage for elective surgery and complications.

Read the guide

Cost Comparison

Cross-procedure pricing across countries.

Read the guide

Medical Companion

Bilingual companions for short-stay surgical patients.

Read the guide

Send your ultrasound
for a written surgical plan.

Upload your abdominal ultrasound and recent labs. We return a written quote from a partner hepatobiliary surgeon — including procedure recommendation, expected stay and 5-day trip itinerary.

Request a quote See cost comparison

This page is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Acute right upper quadrant pain, jaundice or fever requires urgent local medical evaluation — do not delay travel.