Gastrointestinal Polyp Day Surgery: Admission, Treatment and Discharge in 24 Hours

When a gastroscopy or colonoscopy reveals a polyp, most patients immediately worry: will I need open surgery? How long will I be in hospital? Can I take time off work? The day surgery model addresses all three — polyps are removed endoscopically rather than through open surgery, and admission, removal and discharge are organised as one episode instead of being spread across several days. Whether it fits your case, and the schedule the hospital can offer, are confirmed by the hospital after it reviews your records.

What Is Gastrointestinal Day Surgery?

Day surgery (also called ambulatory surgery) means the patient is admitted, treated and discharged within a single calendar day — without occupying an inpatient bed overnight. At the partner hospital, this model is applied to endoscopic removal of gastric and colonic polyps, combining the diagnostic examination and the therapeutic procedure into a single session under the same anaesthetic.

The dedicated endoscopy team — specialist gastroenterologists, anaesthesiologists and nursing staff — coordinates each step without gaps, so the patient never has to return for a separate procedure.

Why Choose Day Surgery?

Saves time. The full cycle from hospital arrival to discharge is under 24 hours. Working adults can schedule a single day off rather than weeks of sick leave.

Eliminates duplication. Under the traditional pathway, the patient undergoes a diagnostic scope, recovers, and returns on a separate occasion for treatment — requiring two separate rounds of bowel preparation and two separate general anaesthetics. The day surgery model combines both into one encounter.

Reduces cost. The total expense is generally lower than conventional inpatient surgery. Importantly, the procedure qualifies for reimbursement under standard inpatient medical insurance rules.

Maintains safety. Patients remain under observation after the procedure until the clinical team confirms they meet discharge criteria. The endoscopy team does not rush discharge — every patient is assessed individually before leaving the hospital.

Who Is a Candidate?

Day surgery endoscopic removal is suitable for most patients with:

• Gastric or colonic polyps (typically those of moderate size, limited in number, and with morphology amenable to endoscopic resection)
• Selected mucosal lesions of the digestive tract
• Conditions the attending gastroenterologist assesses as treatable within a short procedure with manageable risk

The final decision on suitability for day surgery is made by a gastroenterologist at the partner hospital after reviewing the patient's examination reports, medical history and general health status.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Outpatient consultation — a gastroenterology specialist reviews existing reports or arranges initial endoscopy and determines whether day surgery is appropriate.
2. Pre-operative workup — blood tests (full blood count, coagulation screen, infection markers), ECG and, where a general anaesthetic is planned, an anaesthesiology evaluation.
3. Scheduling and preparation — the patient receives clear written instructions covering dietary restrictions before the procedure and how to take bowel-preparation medication (for colonic procedures).
4. Procedure day — admission → informed consent → endoscopic treatment under sedation or general anaesthesia → post-procedure recovery observation.
5. Discharge assessment — when the patient meets discharge criteria, hospital checkout is completed on the same day, with follow-up instructions provided in writing.

Partner Hospital Endoscopy Centre

The Gastroenterology Endoscopy Centre at a partner hospital in Xi'an is equipped with high-definition endoscopy systems and a full sterilisation and disinfection pipeline. The department provides:

• Diagnostic gastroscopy and colonoscopy
• Endoscopic polyp resection (EMR, ESD)
• Early-stage gastrointestinal cancer screening
• ERCP for biliary and pancreatic disease

The goal is to deliver standardised, evidence-based care in the shortest time that is clinically appropriate for each patient.

Considering Treatment in China?

For international patients, the day surgery model is particularly practical: a short recovery, predictable timing and lower cost than equivalent procedures in the UK, Australia or North America. Contact a ChinaMedicalTour care navigator to arrange a consultation at the partner hospital with full English-language coordination and pre-trip preparation support.

Clinical content provided by the Gastroenterology Department of a partner hospital in Xi'an. Reviewed by Dr. Chen Mina, Gastroenterology Specialist. Published May 2026.