Mr Siong-Seng Liau
Consultant Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgeon
MA, MD (Ed), FRCS (Ed), FACS
Languages spoken
English
I am a Consultant HPB Surgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, specialising in keyhole (robotic and laparoscopic) surgery for gallbladder disease, pancreatic conditions, and liver cancer. With over 20 years of experience in gallstone disease, I have spent the past decade managing complex gallbladder cases, including cholecystectomy-related bile duct injuries, at the Cambridge HPB Surgical Unit—one of the UK’s leading centres.
I have performed over 1,000 minimally invasive gallbladder surgeries (laparoscopic and robotic), many of them complex. I specialise in treating gallbladder conditions such as gallstones, cholecystitis, and related complications. I offer private gallbladder surgery, and private consultations for liver and pancreatic conditions, including cancer—though surgery for these is NHS-only due to their complexity.
As a pioneer in minimally invasive HPB surgery, I helped establish robotic surgery in Cambridge and currently chair the Multispecialty Robotic Surgery Steering Group, leading the development of robotic services. I also serve as Clinical Lead of the Cambridge HPB Unit. From 2019 to 2021, I led the Regional HPB Cancer MDT for Cambridge and East of England. I serve as an Office Bearer and Elected Council Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and Examiner for the UK FRCS, Joint Specialty Fellowship exams (Hong Kong, Singapore), and MRCS (UK, Pakistan).
Internationally recognised, I was the first UK recipient of the IHPBA Kenneth Warren and SSAT Karen and Josef Fischer International Travelling Fellowships. I also received the ASGBI Moynihan Travelling Fellowship to develop laparoscopic and robotic HPB skills in Seoul. I underwent rigorous, internationally recognized specialist training in Cambridge, Toronto, Hong Kong, Paris, and Edinburgh.
I completed fellowships in HPB Surgical Oncology and Abdominal Multiorgan Transplantation at Toronto General Hospital, Canada, and in Advanced Laparoscopic HPB Surgery at L'Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, Paris, France. I am a proud alumnus of the Toronto HPB Fellowship Programme - one of North America’s most prestigious and internationally recognised HPB training programmes.
Treatment information
Some of the principal treatments carried out by Mr Siong-Seng Liau at Spire include:
Other treatments
- Bile duct imaging
- Keyhole surgery with imaging to check for bile duct stones or issues (Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) with intraoperative cholangiogram)
- Open cholecystectomy
Get in touch
Additional information
Clinical interests
General surgery
Laparoscopic surgery
Liver disease
Minimal access surgery
Pancreatic and biliary surgery
Pancreatology
Primary clinical interests: Gallbladder disease, gallstones disease, gallstones, gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), gallbladder polyps, gallbladder cancer, bile duct stones, bile duct strictures, bile duct cancer, liver cancer, secondary liver cancer, benign liver tumours, liver cysts, pancreatic cancer, pancreatic cysts, pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, pancreatology, acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, umbilical hernia repair, paraumbilical hernia repair, biliary disease
Qualification and professional memberships
Hunterian Prof / Royal College of Surgeons of England / 2020
Hunterian Professor
FACS / American College of Surgeons, International / 2019
Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
FRCS (Edin) / Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh / 2012
Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons
FRCS (Eng) ad eundem / Royal College of Surgeons of England / 2012
Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons
MRCS (Eng) ad eundem / Royal College of Surgeons of England / 2009
Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
DLSHTM / London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine / 2009
Diploma in Epidemiology
MD (Edin) / University of Edinburgh Medical School / 2008
Doctor of Medicine with Distinction
MRCS (Edin) / Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh / 2004
Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons
MB, ChB (Edin.) / University of Edinburgh Medical School / 1996
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with Distinctions
Professional memberships
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
American College of Surgeons
Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI)
International Hepatopancreatobiliary Association (IHPBA)
Professional leadership
Honorary Treasurer and elected Council Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd)
Lead for the Robotic Taskforce Guidance Development Group at the RCSEd
Past Chair of the RCSEd General Surgery Surgical Specialty Board
Clinical Lead of Cambridge HPB Surgical Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital
Research and publications
Awards and honours
2024-29 N2 Award, National Clinical Impact Award by ACCIA at UK Department of Health
2019-24 Bronze Award, National Clinical Excellence Award by ACCEA at UK Department of Health
2019 Pancreatic Cancer UK Research Innovation Fund Award
2019, 2016, 2011 Ethicon Short Term Clinical Visit Grants, awarded by Royal College of Surgeons of England.
2013 University of Cambridge Parke-Davis Exchange Fellowship.
2013 Ellison-Cliffe Travelling Fellowship from Royal Society of Medicine.
2013, 2011 European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO) Travelling Fellowships.
2013, 2011 Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel Travelling Fellowships
2013, 2009 HCA International Foundation Fellowships
2012 Medical Research Council (MRC) Centenary Early Career Award
2012 The Worshipful Company of Barbers/Royal College of Surgeons of England Ronald Raven Award.
2011 MRC and Academy of Medical Sciences Tenure-track Clinician Scientist Fellowship
2010 Worshipful Company of Needlemakers’ Educational Bursary, awarded by Royal College of Surgeons of England.
2010 Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland Laparoscopic Training Bursary
2008 Medical Insurance Agency Prize from Surgery Section, Royal Society of Medicine
2004 Cancer Research UK Core Skills Bursary Award, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
2000 Mayo Clinic (USA) Foundation Research Travel Grant Award for research achievement
1998 University of Edinburgh International Scholarship Prize from the International Office
Media Coverage
Mr. Liau launched “Super Sunday” high-intensity robotic surgery sessions to reduce NHS waiting times. ITV News
January 2025
Mr. Liau’s team performed Addenbrooke’s first robotic-assisted double-organ surgery. CUH News
April 2025
Mr Liau led the development of Addenbrooke Hospital’s multi-specialty robotic programme. ITV News
Current NHS posts
Consultant Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgeon, Clinical Lead of Cambridge HPB Surgical Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital
Personal profile
Outside of my professional life, I find my greatest joy in spending quality time with my wife and our two young children. Family is at the heart of everything I do, and I make it a priority to stay closely connected to them despite a busy clinical schedule. Whether it's exploring nature trails, discovering new cities, or simply sharing meals together, I value the everyday moments that keep us grounded and connected. Travel has become a particularly meaningful part of our family life. We enjoy discovering new places together—experiencing different cultures, trying unfamiliar foods, and learning through shared adventures. These journeys not only provide treasured memories, but also broaden our perspectives and reinforce the importance of compassion and empathy—values I carry with me both personally and professionally.
Financial interests
Contact information
| Telephone | 01223 266 929 |
| Private secretary | Sharice Waite |
| Private secretary telephone | 01223 481 933 |
| Private secretary email | secretary@siongsengliau.co.uk |