China's Top Departments: General Surgery at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University

If you need surgery for a liver tumor, gastrointestinal cancer, breast disease, or a complex hernia — the Department of General Surgery at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University is one of the places Chinese doctors send their most challenging surgical cases. Established alongside the hospital's founding in 1907 and formally organized as an independent department in 1932, it has over 90 years of history and has evolved into a leading clinical center integrating medical care, education, and research.

The department is a National Key Discipline (Surgery), a key discipline under China's "211 Project" and "985 Project," and a National Health Commission Clinical Key Specialty. It is home to the Fudan University Institute of Tumor Metastasis — China's first dedicated institute for tumor metastasis research — and the Fudan University Institute of Organ Transplantation.

At Medora, we've helped international patients navigate Huashan's General Surgery Department for conditions ranging from liver cancer and gastrointestinal tumors to complex hernias and bariatric surgery. Here's what you need to know.

Department at a Glance

The team includes 18 professors/chief physicians, 18 associate professors/deputy chief physicians, and 41 attending physicians. There are 11 doctoral supervisors and 15 master's supervisors, with 52 faculty holding doctoral degrees and 24 holding master's degrees.

Department Leadership

Professor Qin Lunxiu (钦伦秀) chairs the Department of General Surgery and the Hepatobiliary Surgery Division, and serves as Director of the Fudan University Institute of Tumor Metastasis. He is a Changjiang Scholar Distinguished Professor, recipient of the National Outstanding Youth Science Fund, and Chief Scientist of the National Basic Research Program (973 Program). His honors include:

• National Natural Science Award (Second Class)
• Shanghai Science & Technology Elite Award
• Shanghai Natural Science Peony Award
• Ministry of Education Natural Science Award (First Class)
• National Science & Technology Progress Award (First Class)

Five Subspecialties

The department is organized into five subspecialty divisions, with a strategic focus on hepatobiliary, gastrointestinal, and breast oncology, complemented by metabolic and vascular surgery.

1. Hepatobiliary Surgery

With 5 professors, 3 associate professors, and 67 beds, this division adheres to a "precision surgery + individualized treatment" philosophy, combining "major surgery" (liver transplantation) with "minimally invasive surgery" (laparoscopic liver resection and local ablation). Multidisciplinary collaboration includes infectious diseases, interventional radiology, oncology, radiation therapy, and pathology.

Annual volume: nearly 1,000 liver surgeries and approximately 100 liver transplants.

2. Gastrointestinal Surgery

With 7 professors, 3 associate professors, and 55 beds, this division is organized into gastric/small intestinal and colorectal subspecialties. Key features include:

• Multidisciplinary tumor board (MDT) for GI malignancies
• Laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy and TME/CME for colorectal cancer
• Patented tumor-blocking technique (globally advanced)
• Splenic hilar lymph node dissection
• Ultra-low sphincter-preserving rectal cancer surgery
• Multivisceral resection for locally recurrent rectal cancer

3. Breast and Thyroid Surgery

Based at the Huadong Breast Hospital, with 1 professor, 5 associate professors, and 66 beds, this division performs over 1,000 comprehensive breast cancer surgeries annually. It is a national leader in:

• Early diagnosis: digital mammography, high-frequency ultrasound, MRI, ductoscopy, Mammotome biopsy
• Breast-conserving surgery and oncoplastic reconstruction
• Thyroid surgery: recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring, parathyroid protection, and surgical management of renal secondary hyperparathyroidism (leading in China)

4. Minimally Invasive, Bariatric & Hernia Surgery

One of the earliest hospitals in China to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy, this division pioneered:

• Laparoscopic inguinal/incisional/parastomal/hiatal hernia repair
• Invented the Lap-re-Do technique for parastomal hernia
• Bariatric surgery primarily through sleeve gastrectomy for obesity
• Reversible gastric greater curvature plication for patients with GERD

5. Vascular Surgery

One of the earliest vascular surgery units in China and a Shanghai Key Specialty. Core expertise includes:

• Carotid artery stenosis surgery
• Endovascular treatment of complex lower extremity arterial occlusive disease
• Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair
• Comprehensive DVT management
• Dialysis access creation and maintenance

The division established a long-term collaboration with UCSF Vascular Surgery and led the creation of a "Limb Salvage Center" in 2012.

Core Innovative Technologies

The department operates under the philosophy of "dual-drive by minimally invasive and major surgery, building precision surgery," with several innovations recognized at national and international levels:

Research & Academic Leadership

The department is a powerhouse of surgical research and education:

• Home to the Fudan University Institute of Tumor Metastasis — China's first dedicated institute for tumor metastasis research
• Home to the Fudan University Institute of Organ Transplantation
• Leads major national research programs: 973 Program, National Major Science & Technology Projects, 863 Program, and National Natural Science Foundation International Cooperation Major Projects
• Awarded the National Natural Science Award, Ministry of Education Natural Science Award (First Class), and National Science & Technology Progress Award (First Class)
• Serves as the academic home of the Fudan University Shanghai Medical College Department of Surgery
• The vascular surgery doctoral program has trained over 30 master's and doctoral graduates

Rankings & Accreditation

Campus Locations

The department sees patients across four Huashan Hospital campuses:

• Main Campus: 12 Wulumuqi Middle Road, Shanghai
• East Campus: 525 Hongfeng Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
• North Campus: 108 Luxiang Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai
• West Campus: 958 Jinguang Road, Minhang District, Shanghai

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Planning Your Visit

At Medora, we work closely with Huashan's General Surgery Department to help international patients access world-class surgical care. Our services include:

• Appointment coordination with the appropriate subspecialty division
• Medical record review and case preparation
• Translation and interpretation services throughout your visit
• Logistical support for travel, accommodation, and recovery

If you're considering surgery at one of China's most experienced and innovative general surgery departments, contact Medora to learn how we can help you navigate your care journey.