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Dr. Cao Zhikai

Chinese name: 曹志恺
Chief Physician (Grade II), Professor, Postgraduate Supervisor, Director of Neurosurgery . Neurosurgery
Dr. Cao Zhikai is Director of the Brain and Neurosurgery Department at Guangzhou First People's Hospital and a Grade II Chief Physician and Professor. One of the earliest and most experienced surgeons performing carotid endarterectomy in Guangdong, he has completed over five thousand complex neurosurgical operations.

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30+
Years in Neurosurgery
3000+
High-Complexity Surgeries
50+
Published Papers

  • The Physician

About Dr. Cao Zhikai

Dr. Cao Zhikai is Director of the Brain and Neurosurgery Department and academic leader of neurosurgery at Guangzhou First People's Hospital, where he is a Grade II Chief Physician and Professor. He specialises in neuro-oncology, cerebrovascular disease and craniocerebral trauma and, for more than twenty years, in the screening and surgical treatment of carotid stenosis, being among the earliest and most experienced surgeons performing carotid endarterectomy in Guangdong. He also has expertise in awake craniotomy, deep brain stimulation and brainstem tumour resection. He has published over fifty papers and completed more than five thousand complex operations.
1、Director of the Brain and Neurosurgery Department and academic leader of neurosurgery at Guangzhou First People’s Hospital
2、Grade II Chief Physician, Professor and Postgraduate Supervisor
3、Standing committee member of the Haemorrhagic Stroke Surgery Committee of the National Health Commission Stroke Prevention Expert Committee
4、Chairman of the Neurosurgery Branch of the Guangzhou Medical Doctor Association
5、Vice Chairman of the Guangdong Medical Association Neurosurgery Branch and head of its cerebrovascular disease group
6、Recipient of the 2019 Lingnan Famous Doctor, 2018 Hurun-Ping An China Good Doctor and 2015 Yangcheng Good Doctor titles

Dr. Cao Zhikai ’s Three Key Areas of Expertise

Three areas of focused expertise, each supported by a deep subspecialty team, high case volumes and an English-speaking care pathway coordinated by Orisene.

Carotid stenosis and stroke prevention

He screens for and surgically treats carotid stenosis, performing carotid endarterectomy, hybrid recanalisation of chronic carotid occlusion and extracranial-intracranial bypass to restore cerebral blood flow, reduce stroke risk and help guide other hospitals across Guangdong in these complex, life-saving procedures.

Intracranial tumours

He performs microsurgical resection of meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngiomas, acoustic neuromas and brainstem tumours, using neuronavigation and diffusion tensor imaging to remove tumours precisely while protecting critical neurological function and improving long-term outcomes for patients with these complex, difficult brain tumours.

Craniocerebral trauma and complex vascular surgery

He treats severe craniocerebral injury and complex cerebrovascular disease, including clipping of complex cerebral aneurysms, and applies awake craniotomy and deep brain stimulation to preserve neurological function and support steady recovery in critically ill neurosurgical patients over the long term.

More： cerebral aneurysm——clipping; brainstem tumour——microsurgery; hydrocephalus——shunt surgery; functional neurosurgery——DBS; neuro-navigation——image-guided surgery

  • Clinical Practice & Publications

Selected cases, research & publications

Representative work drawn from documented clinical treatments, publicly indexed literature, and hospital project records, reflecting the depth of this physician's hands-on expertise and academic rigor.
1. Neuronavigation-Assisted Brainstem Tumour Resection
Prof. Cao specialises in removing brainstem tumours using neuronavigation, a technically demanding procedure for gliomas and cavernous malformations. Patients with brainstem lesions causing double vision, weakness or imbalance receive careful surgical planning, offering hope to those seeking a neurosurgeon for brainstem tumour surgery in Guangzhou.
2. Carotid Endarterectomy for Carotid Artery Stenosis
As one of the earliest and most experienced surgeons for carotid endarterectomy in Guangdong, Prof. Cao treats carotid artery stenosis to prevent stroke. Patients with transient ischaemic attack or dizziness from carotid narrowing receive surgical revascularisation, reducing the risk of cerebral infarction.
3. Clipping of Complex Intracranial Aneurysms
Patients with ruptured or unruptured intracranial aneurysms undergo surgical clipping by Prof. Cao’s team to prevent subarachnoid haemorrhage. Microsurgical technique treats giant and complex aneurysms, supporting patients with sudden severe headache or suspected brain aneurysm who search for aneurysm surgery.
4. Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Adenoma
Prof. Cao performs single-nostril transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas, a minimally invasive approach to reach tumours beneath the brain. Patients with hormonal disturbance, visual field loss or pituitary tumour receive endoscopic removal, helping those who seek a pituitary surgeon in Guangzhou.
5. Deep Brain Stimulation for Functional Neurosurgery
Prof. Cao has extensive experience in deep brain stimulation (DBS) and awake craniotomy for brain functional areas. Patients with Parkinson’s disease, tremor or movement disorders who need DBS, and those with tumours near eloquent cortex, receive tailored functional neurosurgical care at Guangzhou First People’s Hospital.
6. Emergency Surgery for Craniocerebral Trauma
Patients with traumatic brain injury, intracranial haematoma or skull fracture receive emergency neurosurgery from Prof. Cao’s team. Prompt haematoma evacuation and decompression protect brain function after road accidents or falls, helping critically injured patients who need urgent neurosurgical care in Guangzhou.
  • Affiliated Hospital

Where Dr. Cao Zhikai practices

Guangzhou

Guangzhou First People’s Hospital

Chinese name: 广州市第一人民医院
Guangzhou First People's Hospital, founded in 1899 and among Guangdong's first Grade-A tertiary hospitals, operates 2,970 licensed beds with 4,272 total staff and ranks in China's competitive top 100, with digestive, blood and spine specialties among its core strengths.
Since 1899
127 years of care
2,970
Licensed beds
2.94 million (2025)
Annual patient visits
SHARC certified
Licensed beds
View Hospital Profile
Appointments with this physician are booked through official hospital channels only, coordinated end-to-end by Orisene.
  • WHY INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS CHOOSE CHINA

Why patients travel to China for treatment

Six reasons international patients now put China on their shortlist — from internationally aligned clinical capability to the policy channels that make treatment here genuinely reachable.

Clinical capability at international standard

Chinese hospitals deliver internationally aligned protocols, performing vast volumes of advanced robotic, minimally invasive, and complex transplant surgeries annually. This massive clinical data and highly specialized workforce ensure world-class outcomes, even for rare and complex cases.

Diagnostics and treatment in days, not months

A full medical workup that typically means months of waiting elsewhere is completed in China within 48–72 hours. Imaging, labs, and multidisciplinary consultations are integrated into a single visit, allowing treatment to commence immediately.

Transparent, itemised pricing

Chinese healthcare offers legally binding, itemised cost estimates before treatment begins, eliminating hidden fees or surprise billing. Due to national centralized procurement, total expenses remain 40–70% lower than comparable care in Western Europe or North America.

Policy channels that open the door

China facilitates access through 240-hour visa-free transit and dedicated medical visa routes. Policies like the Greater Bay Area drug pathway and Boao Lecheng’s pilot zone allow designated hospitals to administer innovative therapies not yet globally approved.
  • International Patient Guide

Consulting this physician, step by step

From the first message to the follow-up after you fly home, one coordinator, no paperwork on your side.
01
Day 0
  • Share your story
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02
Days 1–3
  • Records review & matching
    Orisene translates and presents your case to the right specialist. The hospital returns a tailored care plan, with costs itemised once that plan is confirmed.
03
Days 3–7
  • Your consultation
    Appointments are booked through official hospital channels only. Your navigator accompanies every visit with real-time interpretation, so you can focus on one thing: being cared for.
04
After you fly home
  • Reports & follow-up
    Translated reports and prescriptions delivered within days, remote follow-up coordination with your physicians at home, and a standing line to your navigator.
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Information Sources

This physician profile is compiled by the Orisene team from publicly available online sources and verified at the time of publication. Details may change, and physician availability is confirmed at the time of booking.

Disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal medical guidance.

Mention of any specific product, brand, or manufacturer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Dr. Cao Zhikai.