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Appendectomy Cost in Lagos 2026

Appendectomy in Lagos costs ₦80K–₦200K at a general or public hospital and ₦300K–₦800K at a premium specialist hospital — the same procedure, up to 10× apart.

3 hospital tiersSurgeryLast verified 2026-05-07

What appendectomy costs in Lagos

A range per tier, not a single price — the real figure depends on the hospital and your case.

General / public hospital₦80K–₦200K
Standard private₦200K–₦500K
Premium specialist₦300K–₦800K
With HMOCovered on most plans with surgery benefit

Public tier means the teaching and general hospitals (LUTH, LASUTH and the state general hospitals). Standard private covers the many mid-range private hospitals across the mainland and Island. Premium specialist means the top-end Island hospitals.

Prices last verified: 2026-05-07. Lagos.Cool desk survey seeded 2026-05-07; tier ranges not re-verified against a 2026 primary source Always confirm the current price with the hospital before planning around it.

What drives the price

An appendectomy is the classic emergency general-surgery operation, and three things drive its cost. First, the approach: laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery costs more than open surgery because of the equipment and skill involved, though it usually means a shorter stay. Second, whether the appendix has ruptured — a complicated case needs longer theatre time, more antibiotics and a longer admission. Third, the tier, which determines whether a resident or a consultant operates and whether you recover on an open ward or in a private room. Because appendicitis is an emergency, most patients have little time to shop between tiers.

Typical duration: Typically 2–5 days for an uncomplicated case; longer if the appendix has ruptured.

What's included vs what's extra

The extras carry no figures here because Lagos hospitals do not publish them — ask for an itemised quote.

Usually included
  • The operation, surgeon and anaesthetist
  • Theatre time and standard consumables
  • Bed for the expected admission
  • Routine post-operative nursing
Billed on top
  • Pre-operative tests and imaging
  • Laparoscopic approach priced above open surgery
  • Extended stay if the appendix ruptured
  • Post-operative drugs and follow-up review

What the spread means for your budget

The gap between what appendectomy costs at a general hospital and at a premium specialist is roughly ₦720K — and that difference buys comfort, privacy and shorter waits rather than a different clinical outcome. For a routine, uncomplicated case the public and standard-private tiers deliver the same medicine.

So the honest question is not 'which is cheapest' but 'which tier do I actually need'. The premium tier earns its price if you value privacy, speed and a named consultant. Whichever you choose, get an itemised quote before the day, confirm what your HMO covers and at which hospitals, and budget for the extras listed above rather than the headline range alone.

Sums like this sit alongside your other major Lagos costs — see Lagos rent prices and market food prices to weigh it against the rest of the budget.

Related

Frequently asked questions

Yes — keyhole surgery costs more than open surgery because of the equipment and skill required, though it often means a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery, which offsets some of the difference.