About Academician Li Zhaoshen
Academician Li Zhaoshen (李兆申) is Professor and former Director of the Department of Gastroenterology at Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), and an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering — China's highest honor in engineering and applied sciences. He is the undisputed pioneer of modern digestive endoscopy in China and one of the world's leading authorities on pancreatic disease, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
Over a career spanning four decades, Academician Li has transformed the practice of gastrointestinal endoscopy in China, establishing Changhai Hospital's endoscopy center as the highest-volume and most technically advanced digestive endoscopy program in the country. He has personally performed or supervised tens of thousands of advanced endoscopic procedures, trained the majority of China's leading endoscopists, and authored the national standards and guidelines that govern endoscopic practice across China's healthcare system. His contributions to pancreatic disease diagnosis and management — particularly through EUS-guided tissue acquisition, EUS-guided drainage, and ERCP for pancreatic and biliary disorders — are recognized internationally as landmark advances in the field.
Hospital Affiliation
Changhai Hospital of Naval Medical University (formerly Second Military Medical University) is one of China's premier academic medical centers and the national leader in digestive endoscopy and pancreatic disease. The Department of Gastroenterology at Changhai is consistently ranked first in China for digestive endoscopy, managing the highest volume of complex endoscopic procedures in the country including EUS, ERCP, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), and endoscopic ultrasound-guided interventions.
The department operates a dedicated Pancreatic Disease Center — one of China's foremost multidisciplinary programs for the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cysts, and pancreatic cancer — integrating advanced endoscopy, interventional radiology, pancreatic surgery, and oncology in a coordinated care model.
Clinical Expertise
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) — EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) and fine needle biopsy (FNB) for pancreatic masses, subepithelial lesions, and lymph nodes; EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) for pancreatic pain; EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts and walled-off necrosis; EUS-guided biliary drainage
- ERCP — biliary and pancreatic sphincterotomy; stone extraction; biliary and pancreatic stenting; hilar cholangiocarcinoma management; post-surgical anatomy ERCP; difficult cannulation techniques
- Pancreatic disease — acute pancreatitis (including severe and necrotizing); chronic pancreatitis; pancreatic cysts (IPMN, MCN, serous cystadenoma); pancreatic cancer diagnosis and staging; autoimmune pancreatitis
- Early gastrointestinal cancer detection — magnification endoscopy; narrow-band imaging (NBI); chromoendoscopy; early gastric cancer; early esophageal cancer; Barrett's esophagus surveillance
- Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) — en bloc resection of early gastric, esophageal, and colorectal neoplasms; complex ESD for large or fibrotic lesions
- Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) — achalasia; spastic esophageal disorders; Zenker's diverticulum
- Capsule endoscopy & small bowel endoscopy — obscure gastrointestinal bleeding; small bowel Crohn's disease; small bowel tumors; double-balloon enteroscopy
Academic & Research Contributions
Academician Li Zhaoshen's election to the Chinese Academy of Engineering reflects the transformative impact of his scientific and clinical contributions to digestive endoscopy and pancreatic medicine. He has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications in leading gastroenterology journals and has been cited extensively in international literature on EUS, ERCP, and pancreatic disease. He has led the development of multiple editions of China's national clinical practice guidelines for digestive endoscopy, ERCP, EUS, and pancreatitis — the authoritative standards that govern endoscopic practice across China.
He has served as President of the Chinese Society of Digestive Endoscopy and holds leadership positions in multiple international endoscopy societies including the World Endoscopy Organization (WEO) and the Asian Pacific Society for Digestive Endoscopy (APSDE). He is a frequent invited speaker and live demonstration expert at major international endoscopy conferences including DDW, UEG Week, and APDW, and has trained endoscopists from across Asia, Europe, and North America through Changhai Hospital's internationally recognized endoscopy training program.
Why International Patients Choose Academician Li Zhaoshen
For international patients requiring advanced endoscopic procedures — EUS-guided biopsy of a pancreatic mass, ERCP for complex biliary or pancreatic disease, ESD for early gastrointestinal cancer, or POEM for achalasia — Changhai Hospital under Academician Li's leadership offers a level of endoscopic expertise and procedural volume that is genuinely among the best in the world. The combination of the highest case volume in China, the most experienced endoscopy team, and state-of-the-art equipment means that complex cases that may be technically challenging or unavailable elsewhere are managed routinely at Changhai.
International patients commonly seek Academician Li's program for EUS-guided evaluation of pancreatic masses and cysts, second-opinion endoscopic assessment of complex biliary and pancreatic conditions, ERCP in patients with prior failed attempts or surgically altered anatomy, and ESD for early gastric or esophageal cancer detected on prior endoscopy. Procedure costs at Changhai Hospital are substantially lower than equivalent advanced endoscopic procedures in Western healthcare systems, with no compromise in technical expertise or equipment quality.
What to Expect at Your Consultation
Consultations begin with a comprehensive gastroenterological assessment including review of prior endoscopy reports, imaging studies (CT, MRI/MRCP), laboratory results, and pathology reports. CMCS will arrange certified translation of all prior medical records and imaging in advance of the appointment. The clinical team will outline the recommended endoscopic evaluation or intervention, procedural approach, expected findings, risks, and recovery. For EUS and ERCP procedures, most patients are admitted for 1–2 days. A written English-language consultation summary and procedure report is provided after every appointment and procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have a pancreatic cyst — do I need EUS-guided biopsy?
The need for EUS-guided tissue sampling of a pancreatic cyst depends on its imaging characteristics, size, and the presence of high-risk features (mural nodules, main duct dilation, rapid growth). Changhai's team will review your prior imaging and provide a clear recommendation on whether EUS evaluation is indicated and what it would involve.
I had a failed ERCP at another hospital — can Changhai attempt it again?
Yes. Changhai Hospital's endoscopy team has extensive experience with technically difficult ERCP cases including failed cannulation, surgically altered anatomy (post-Whipple, Roux-en-Y), and complex hilar biliary strictures. These cases are managed routinely at Changhai and represent a significant proportion of the department's referral volume.
How long is recovery after ESD for early gastric cancer?
Most patients undergoing ESD for early gastric cancer are admitted for 2–3 days and can resume normal diet within 1–2 weeks. CMCS recommends planning for a total Shanghai stay of 5–7 days to allow for pre-procedure assessment, the procedure, and post-procedure monitoring. A follow-up endoscopy is typically scheduled at 3 months.
Book a Consultation Through CMCS
China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) provides end-to-end support for international patients seeking advanced digestive endoscopy and pancreatic disease care at Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, including priority consultation and procedure scheduling, certified medical translation, prior imaging and record review, procedural logistics, and written English procedure reports. Contact us at contact@medicalsh.com , or visit medicalsh.com.
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