Meliva Kardiolita Hospital Vilnius

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal surgery)

Hospital Stay

1 night

Recovery Time

3-4 Days

Head of General Surgery

Dr. Andrius Sklepavicius

Laparoscopic Removal of the Gallbladder

Package Includes

Inpatient Stay: 1 Night

Post-Op Care: 2 Days

Head of General Surgery: Dr. Andrius Sklepavicius

Hospital overview

Meliva Kardiolita Hospital is one of Lithuania’s leading private healthcare providers and the largest diagnostic and surgical centre within the nationwide Meliva network. Formerly known as Kardiolita Hospital, it developed from a specialist private cardiac surgery centre established more than 20 years ago into a multidisciplinary hospital serving Lithuanian and international patients. 
The Vilnius hospital provides consultation, diagnostics, surgery and rehabilitation across more than 45 medical specialties. Its principal strengths include orthopaedics and traumatology, cardiac surgery, cardiology, general and abdominal surgery, neurosurgery, gynaecology, urology, ophthalmology, plastic surgery and bariatric treatment. Patients have access to open and minimally invasive procedures, advanced imaging, laboratory services and coordinated postoperative rehabilitation. 
Across its Vilnius and Kaunas hospitals, Meliva works with more than 400 doctors and provides over 1,500 medical services. Its consultants include university professors, researchers and specialists who undertake international training and contribute to medical education. The Vilnius network includes dedicated diagnostic, surgical, orthopaedic and rehabilitation facilities, supporting continuity from assessment through treatment and recovery. 
MMG selected Meliva Kardiolita Hospital following its independent accreditation process, recognising its highly experienced consultant teams, advanced surgical capability, multidisciplinary model of care and long-standing commitment to clinical excellence, patient safety and evidence-based medicine, as demonstrated by its internationally recognised Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation.

Scale, facilities and management

Kardiolita operates within the Meliva Healthcare Group (formerly InMedica Group and Kardiolita Clinics), a national network that unites hospital and outpatient services under common clinical protocols and standards. Across Lithuania, Meliva employs over 600 staff and 500 doctors in 45 medical specialties and provides treatment for approximately 298,000 patients each year.
The Vilnius hospital is a medium-sized, multi-specialty centre with around 50 inpatient beds, a 10-bed intensive care unit and four fully equipped operating theatres capable of handling high-complexity cardiac, orthopaedic, and general surgical cases.
The hospital is directed by Andrius Kostogriz, responsible for overall governance and international partnerships. Under his leadership, Kardiolita has expanded its clinical research links with European institutions and maintained continuous JCI compliance since its original accreditation.

Medical specialists

Kardiolita’s medical team combines senior Lithuanian consultants with international training. Among its most experienced specialists are:
Prof. Giedrius Uždavinys, senior cardiac surgeon, who has performed thousands of coronary and valve procedures over five decades of practice;
Prof. Audrius Aidietis, interventional cardiologist and electrophysiology specialist;
Dr. Antanas Mickevičius MD PhD, Consultant bariatric and upper-gastrointestinal surgeon, who also practises in the UK NHS at the Royal Stoke University Hospital and performs roughly 200 bariatric procedures per year;
Dr. Justinas Vaičiulis, orthopaedic and trauma surgeon specialising in minimally invasive shoulder, knee and hip reconstruction;
Dr. Vaidotas Zabulis and Dr. Arūnas Grinkevičius, vascular surgeons recognised for expertise in endovenous laser therapy and arterial bypass techniques.

Name: Dr. Andrius Sklepavicius

Title: Head of Specialty

Bio: Dr Andrius Sklepavičius is a general surgeon with over a decade of clinical experience, specialising in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of common and moderately complex abdominal and soft tissue conditions. He combines solid academic training with a structured, patient-focused approach to care, delivering consistent outcomes across a broad range of general surgical procedures. He obtained his medical degree from Kaunas Medical University, where he trained between 2004 and 2010, before completing his residency in General Surgery from 2010 to 2015. This formal training pathway provides a clear foundation in modern surgical practice, supported by full professional licensing and ongoing clinical activity within the Lithuanian healthcare system. Dr Sklepavičius’s clinical practice includes the treatment of hernias (inguinal, umbilical and post-operative), gallbladder disease including laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and proctological conditions such as haemorrhoids. He also performs a range of soft tissue procedures, including the removal of lipomas, cysts and the management of abscesses. His work focuses on procedures that require precision, consistency and careful post-operative management to ensure effective recovery. He operates within a hospital-based environment supported by multidisciplinary teams, allowing for coordinated care from initial diagnosis through to surgical intervention and follow-up. His approach is centred on clear clinical decision-making, patient communication and adherence to established surgical protocols. Dr Sklepavičius continues to engage in professional development through participation in conferences and training programmes, ensuring his practice remains aligned with current surgical standards and techniques. Within the MMG network, he represents a well-trained and clinically active general surgeon, offering patients access to reliable, structured surgical care within a regulated European healthcare setting.

Full profile

Clinical services and technology

Kardiolita provides an integrated model of diagnosis, surgery and rehabilitation across cardiology, cardiac surgery, orthopaedics, bariatric surgery, general surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, urology and gynaecology.
Its diagnostic facilities include digital MRI and CT imaging, angiography suites and minimally invasive endoscopic systems. Surgical theatres are equipped for laparoscopic, arthroscopic and endovascular procedures, reducing recovery time and the need for prolonged hospitalisation.
A rehabilitation centre within the Meliva network provides physiotherapy, wound care and post-operative cardiac and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, enabling patients to complete recovery in a coordinated setting before returning home.

Performance and outcomes

Publicly available clinical data and independent international directories indicate strong performance across major disciplines:
Cardiac surgery: success rates exceeding 95 %, with coronary artery bypass grafting survival reported at 99 % for standard-risk patients.
Orthopaedics: average post-operative complication rate ≈ 3 %, with prosthetic joint lifespan of 17–18 years.
Bariatric surgery: complication rate 3–5 %, achieving 40–100 % excess-weight reduction within two years, depending on the procedure.
These statistics originate from audited hospital reporting and verified healthcare directories and demonstrate consistent performance levels comparable with Western European benchmarks.

Patient safety and quality assurance

Kardiolita’s infection-control programme meets JCI Category I infection-prevention standards, with continuous surveillance and antibiotic stewardship. All intensive-care patients are monitored by consultant anaesthetists 24 hours a day. Surgical pathways follow European Society of Anaesthesiology guidelines for thromboembolism prophylaxis and peri-operative antibiotic timing.

Coordination with MMG

For patients introduced to Kardiolita by MMG, all arrangements — from initial online consultation to admission, treatment and post-operative follow-up — are managed by an English-speaking international coordination team that are fluent in English. Pre-treatment assessments, laboratory tests and imaging can be organised within 48 hours of arrival, with most patients requiring hospital stays of two to five days, depending on procedure complexity.

Rehabilitation and continuing care

Rehabilitation begins immediately after surgery, guided by physiotherapists and specialist nurses. Cardiac patients enter structured exercise and monitoring programmes, while orthopaedic and bariatric patients receive detailed physiotherapy schedules and nutritional support. The Meliva network also provides tele-consultations and imaging reviews for patients once they return home, maintaining continuity of care.