China's Top Departments: Burn Surgery, Plastic Surgery & Wound Repair at Ruijin Hospital

If you or a loved one is facing a severe burn, complex scar reconstruction, or a chronic wound that won't heal — diabetic foot, pressure sore, radiation ulcer — the Department of Burn Surgery, Plastic Surgery & Wound Repair at Ruijin Hospital is among the most historic and experienced centers in China.

The Ruijin burn department is one of the birthplaces of modern burn surgery in China. In 1958, the hospital (then known as Guangci Hospital) successfully treated steelworker Qiu Caikang, who had sustained burns over 89% of his body (23% full-thickness). This landmark case shattered the then-international belief that "survival is nearly impossible when burns exceed 80% of body surface area," putting China's burn care at the forefront of the world.

From this achievement emerged three core techniques that are still regarded as international classics in burn care — collectively known as the "Chinese Method":

1. The "Ruijin Formula" for fluid resuscitation in burn shock
2. "Hibernation therapy" (wintermin cocktail) to reduce stress response and protect organ function in critically burned patients
3. Intermingled skin grafting — early eschar excision, coverage with large sheets of allograft skin, and inlaid autografts — solving the shortage of donor skin in extensive deep burns

Today the department has evolved from a classic "burn unit" into a comprehensive center integrating burn rescue, scar reconstruction, and chronic wound repair. In 2016 it established the Wound Repair Center — one of the earliest independent wound-repair departments in mainland China. As the Shanghai Municipal Burn Emergency Center, it also leads emergency response for mass-casualty burn incidents across the Yangtze River Delta and beyond.

At Medora, we help international patients navigate Ruijin's burn and wound care team. Here's what you need to know.

Department Profile

Core Techniques & Strengths

1. Ruijin Fluid Resuscitation Formula — the internationally recognized standard for fluid resuscitation in major burn shock
2. Hibernation therapy — stress-reduction, organ-protective strategy for critical burns
3. Intermingled skin grafting (mixed transplantation) — early eschar excision + large-sheet allograft coverage + inlaid autografts for extensive deep burns with limited donor sites
4. Excision during the shock phase — pioneered in China, significantly lowering early mortality
5. Autologous epidermal cell suspension technique — for cosmetically sensitive areas such as deep second-degree facial burns; donor-to-recipient area ratio up to 1:80, with healing quality closer to normal skin
6. Endoscopy-assisted sinus tract wound management — among the first in China
7. Comprehensive chronic wound repair — diabetic foot, leg ulcers, pressure sores, sinus tracts, radiation ulcers, non-healing postoperative wounds; dedicated chronic wound clinic
8. Integrated scar management — surgical excision + fine suturing + laser/phototherapy + pressure garments + rehabilitation

Expert Team

Scope of Care

Burn Rescue

• Flame, scald, electrical, chemical burns
• Inhalation injury
• Burn shock, infection and multi-organ dysfunction
• Emergency response for mass-casualty severe burns

Scar Reconstruction

• Hypertrophic scars, contracture deformities, keloids
• Surgical and photoelectric treatment with functional reconstruction of the face and extremities

Chronic Wound Repair

• Diabetic foot, leg ulcers, pressure sores
• Radiation ulcers, non-healing postoperative wounds

Pediatric Burns

• Runs the "Childhood Without Scars" charity base co-built with the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation

Burn Rehabilitation

• Early pressure therapy and functional training to reduce disability

Location & Contact

Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine No. 197 Ruijin Er Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China (at the corner of Yongjia Road)

• Hospital switchboard: +86-21-34186000 / +86-21-64370045
• Appointments: via the hospital's official WeChat account ("Outpatient Appointment"), official website, or the 114 booking platform
• Burn emergencies: go directly to the emergency department (fast track available for severe cases)

Shanghai is China's largest city with two international airports (Pudong PVG and Hongqiao SHA), excellent global connectivity, and world-class hospitality infrastructure.

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This guide is prepared for an international audience. If you need assistance with medical consultation, appointment booking, or travel arrangements to Ruijin Hospital's Burn & Wound Repair Center, contact Medora for personalized support.