Yeh Yanqing (1906–1994), Orthopedic Surgery, First-Class Professor, Former Deputy Director of Surgery and Director of Orthopedics at Renji Hospital

Introduction

He was hailed as “the founding father of Chinese orthopedics” and one of the pioneers who established the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Renji Hospital.

Wherever there was pain, he brought relief. Where hope flickered, he rekindled it with skill and compassion. While his patients' lives were lit by his warmth, his own path was one of tireless perseverance. Behind every great physician’s achievements lies a story of unseen hardship and unwavering dedication.

With the brilliance of his surgical talent, he illuminated the darkest nights. Stitch by stitch, cut by cut, he infused new life into those on the brink—his presence, like sunlight in early spring, offering comfort and renewal.

On the operating table, his hands moved with graceful precision, his eyes sharp with focus, his movements a portrait of mastery. To his patients, he was not only a healer, but a source of strength—the brightest flame in the shadows of suffering.

Healing Journeys, Healing Lives

Born in 1906 into a scholarly family in Suzhou, Yeh Yanqing grew up with a strict upbringing and a strong sense of discipline. After completing traditional private schooling, he transferred to an American-style primary and secondary education system and was later admitted to the prestigious High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University. Even from a young age, Yeh believed that one’s personal destiny was inseparable from the fate of the nation. He recognized that for China to become strong, its people needed better health and access to modern medical care. Western medicine, introduced through missionary efforts, represented a new and transformative path for the nation’s healthcare. Inspired by this vision, Yeh chose to study medicine after graduating from high school and was admitted to the seven-year program at Cheeloo University’s School of Medicine with top marks.

During his university years, Yeh consistently ranked among the best students. He often quoted, “Strengthen the body, refine the spirit,” as the foundation for both individual growth and national revival. He firmly believed that a person of true worth must possess both physical strength and moral character.

In June 1930, Yeh graduated with honors and was appointed an internal medicine resident at the Cheeloo University Affiliated Hospital. In July 1931, he moved to Hankou and briefly joined the Union Hospital operated by British missionaries. After just seven days, he left to pursue graduate studies at Lester Institute of Medical Sciences in Shanghai. Upon completion, he became a surgeon at Renji Hospital.

Four years later, Yeh traveled to the University of Liverpool to specialize in orthopedic surgery. He earned a master's degree and became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. In the UK, he was exposed to cutting-edge surgical techniques and medical technologies, significantly enriching his clinical expertise.

In 1937—marking a turning point in Chinese history with the outbreak of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident and the start of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression—Yeh returned to China. He established one of Shanghai’s earliest orthopedic departments at Renji Hospital and became its director.

As the war escalated, the demand for medical professionals surged. Yeh made several unsuccessful attempts to enlist in the military medical corps due to lack of connections, and eventually returned to the hospital while closely following wartime developments.

On August 13, 1937, Japanese forces launched a full-scale attack on Shanghai. The nation united in resistance. Many medical schools, including the faculty and students at Aurora University and the Institute of Forensic Medicine, organized field hospitals to care for the wounded.

Yeh volunteered on the front lines, treating women, children, soldiers, and civilians. As one of five core members of the Orthopedic Task Force at Renji Hospital and the Shanghai Red Cross, he not only provided direct medical care but also helped coordinate treatment efforts. Working tirelessly under limited resources, his team saved countless lives. By the end of the Battle of Shanghai, over a thousand injured soldiers had been treated at their hospital.

Dr. Lansen, a British surgeon and the then-director of surgery at Renji Hospital, was deeply impressed by Yeh’s medical skill and character, describing him as a diligent and curious young doctor. In 1939, Lansen invited him to serve as a consultant at his joint practice. Yeh’s meticulous preoperative evaluations and careful surgical procedures ensured consistently successful outcomes, earning him a sterling reputation. He was also invited to teach orthopedics at both the Shanghai Women’s Medical College and St. John’s University.

In 1941, the Pacific War broke out. Japanese forces occupied Renji Hospital, converting it into a military facility and placing the staff under tight surveillance. The Japanese authorities offered generous salaries to Chinese physicians who remained, hoping to win their cooperation. But Yeh refused to serve under foreign control. For him, upholding a physician’s dignity and loyalty to his homeland was paramount. He chose to leave the hospital he loved, a decision grounded in his unwavering moral convictions.

Through Dr. Lansen’s recommendation, Yeh later joined the Swiss Consulate as an orthopedic surgeon with the International Red Cross, treating British and American prisoners held in internment camps. Saddened that ordinary Chinese patients were excluded from treatment, he opened a private practice to offer low-cost care to underserved Chinese families. With limited resources and a borrowed space in his wife’s clinic, Yeh remained devoted to healing the sick and poor, gaining widespread respect among the local Chinese population.

After the war, Yeh returned to Renji Hospital’s internal medicine department, where he conducted outpatient clinics, performed surgeries, and cared for many British patients. Meanwhile, orthopedic surgery had seen significant advancements worldwide. Yeh, recognized for his outstanding clinical experience and pursuit of excellence, was selected for further training abroad.

In 1948, at the recommendation of Professor McKelligan from St. John’s University, Yeh received an invitation from the University of Philadelphia and set off for the United States. In San Francisco, Professor Abbott, a renowned orthopedist at UCSF, was deeply impressed by Yeh’s skills and invited him to join his practice. Yet Yeh declined, replying simply, “I am Chinese. I want to return to China. My people need me more.” In these quiet words lay the depth of his conviction and sense of duty.

On his return journey, he stopped briefly in Hong Kong. The University of Hong Kong invited him to lead its orthopedic department. But when he heard that the People’s Liberation Army was about to liberate Shanghai, he was filled with anticipation. Though offered a lucrative post, Yeh chose to return home. He entrusted his future to the fate of the new China, believing that the greatest purpose in life was to serve one’s nation and its people.

On the day he boarded the ship back to the mainland with his family, his eyes reflected unwavering determination. He was returning to a nation in transformation—ready to devote his knowledge, skills, and heart to the growth of Chinese orthopedics.

All for Those Who Serve

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Korean War broke out, placing the newly established nation under immediate pressure. In response to the national call to support the war effort, Dr. Yeh Yanqing once again stepped forward, joining the campaign with unwavering determination and a deep sense of duty.

On the battlefield, orthopedic surgeons play a vital role. Wartime injuries often involve complex trauma to the head, chest, abdomen, and limbs. Among these, fractures are not only common but also particularly challenging to treat. Orthopedic surgeons must act swiftly to stabilize patients, reduce pain, and provide long-term treatment and rehabilitation under extraordinarily difficult conditions.

These challenges were especially severe for a young nation still in the early stages of rebuilding. Medical supplies were scarce, surgical equipment was limited, and operations were often performed in makeshift field hospitals—in forests, mountains, or even near rivers. Despite such conditions, Dr. Yeh remained undeterred. With steadfast professionalism and deep compassion, he applied his experience and skill to save lives under fire.

For Dr. Yeh, the greatest reward came not in recognition, but in seeing the soldiers he treated return to the front lines, contribute to victory, and eventually make it home. In those moments, as he watched them walk away—healed and resolute—a quiet, contented smile would appear on his face. It was the expression of a physician who had fulfilled his calling, serving not just as a doctor, but as a guardian of hope.

Building Shanghai Second Medical College

After the Korean War, Dr. Yeh Yanqing returned to Shanghai and responded wholeheartedly to the call from the Health Bureau of the East China Bureau. He closed his private clinic and fully dedicated himself to the founding and development of Shanghai Second Medical College (now part of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine). With his deep medical expertise and exceptional leadership, he played a key role in laying the foundation for one of China’s most important medical education institutions.

In October 1952, following the official establishment of the college, Dr. Yeh was appointed head of the surgical division and Chair of the Department of Surgery within the Faculty of Medicine. In 1953, he also became the Director of Orthopedics at Guangci Hospital. By 1955, he was appointed supervisor of postgraduate research and later Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. In 1956, he officially transferred to Guangci Hospital and was promoted to Full Professor—a distinction recognizing his academic and professional excellence.

Dr. Yeh placed great emphasis on developing a strong clinical teaching team. He actively recruited leading surgical experts from Shanghai and across China to join the college’s teaching and medical practice. By introducing diverse perspectives and promoting collaborative learning, he significantly raised the standards of surgical education and clinical training at the college. His philosophy—"educating through medicine, learning from all strengths"—left a lasting impact on the city’s broader medical community.

During this period of institutional growth, Dr. Yeh’s exceptional medical skills and visionary leadership were instrumental in rapidly advancing the college's academic reputation, particularly in the field of surgery. He believed that dedication to public health was not merely a profession, but a lifelong commitment to serve the people. For him, that spirit was the very essence of contributing meaningfully to the country’s future.

In 1958, the Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics was founded, marking a new chapter in Dr. Yeh’s career. He served successively as Deputy Director, Director, and later Honorary Director. His leadership at the institute contributed significantly to the development of orthopedics and trauma medicine in China.

Dr. Yeh was a pioneer in integrating traditional Chinese and Western medical approaches, pushing Chinese trauma orthopedics toward internationally advanced standards. One of his landmark contributions was the systematic research and historical study of orthopedic medicine in China—an effort that compiled its developmental milestones and core achievements. This work helped fill historical gaps in the field and laid the groundwork for future advancements.

He was also one of the first in China to lead foundational research in orthopedics. His studies explored bone healing mechanisms from a multidisciplinary perspective—encompassing biology, chemistry, morphology, biomechanics, and pathology. His groundbreaking electron microscopy research on fibroblast and osteoblast transformation earned international recognition and opened new directions in the field.

At the institute, Dr. Yeh also established specialized departments focused on trauma, bone diseases, bone tumors, hand surgery, spinal surgery, and orthopedic theory. He mentored a generation of orthopedic professionals with a teaching philosophy that went beyond knowledge transfer, emphasizing hands-on practice and comprehensive skill development. Many of his students became leading experts in China and around the world—pillars in the continued advancement of orthopedic medicine.

In the 1960s, traumatic amputation posed one of the greatest challenges in surgical practice. Replantation surgeries had been attempted globally, but success remained elusive. While serving as an orthopedic advisor at Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital, Dr. Yeh supported a pioneering team led by Academician Chen Zhongwei. In 1963, they performed the world’s first successful limb reattachment surgery—a groundbreaking achievement in medical history.

In August of that same year, Dr. Yeh and the replantation team were honored with a meeting by Premier Zhou Enlai, recognizing their extraordinary contribution to modern surgery.

Unshaken Through the Strom

Beginning in 1966, Dr. Yeh Yanqing lived through one of the most tumultuous and challenging periods in modern Chinese history. During this decade-long political movement, many intellectuals and professionals saw their work and personal lives disrupted—and Dr. Yeh was no exception.

Despite the hardships he endured during these years, he never lost faith in the future of his country. His commitment to serving the people and to the healing power of medicine remained steadfast. Even without the support and resources he once had, he continued to reflect deeply on the foundational theories of orthopedic science. His persistence, quiet optimism, and unwavering professionalism allowed him to maintain both his clinical integrity and personal dignity.

It was this enduring spirit—rooted in compassion, resilience, and a lifelong dedication to medicine—that defined Dr. Yeh’s character. In an era of uncertainty, he stood firm in his belief that healing others was not just a profession, but a mission.

On August 22, 1978, Dr. Yeh was officially reinstated and appointed Chair of the First Department of Medicine—a recognition of his integrity, perseverance, and continued contribution to the medical field.

Return and Renewal

Following the end of the Cultural Revolution, China’s hospitals and medical schools gradually returned to normal operations. Dr. Yeh Yanqing, unwavering in his commitment, quickly resumed his work in research, teaching, and clinical care.

With renewed energy and a revitalized academic environment, Dr. Yeh achieved significant breakthroughs and championed the adoption of new surgical techniques—many of which he had begun exploring decades earlier. As early as the 1940s, he had pioneered the use of three-flanged nails and the McMurray osteotomy to treat both recent and old intracapsular femoral neck fractures.

The three-flanged nail is an internal fixation device composed of three nails inserted into the anterior, posterior, and medial aspects of the femoral neck to achieve strong stabilization. This minimally invasive procedure involves only a small incision or puncture, reducing surgery time, lowering patient discomfort, and minimizing the risk of infection. Under Dr. Yeh’s leadership, this method became widely adopted in China and brought significant advancements to femoral neck fracture treatment.

The McMurray osteotomy, on the other hand, involves surgical realignment of the femoral neck to enhance stability and promote bone healing. After such fractures, blood supply and temperature at the fracture site often decline, impeding recovery. By shifting the lower femoral neck toward the area under compression, this technique improves blood perfusion and restores warmth, greatly accelerating the healing process.

Compared with conventional external fixation or standard screw fixation, the McMurray osteotomy offered a simpler, less invasive, and more effective approach. Its clinical adoption brought faster recovery times and improved patient outcomes.

Beyond orthopedic trauma, Dr. Yeh also addressed some of China’s most pressing public health concerns. At a time when tuberculosis was widespread, he developed and promoted surgical procedures such as costotransversectomy and anterolateral spinal decompression to treat spinal TB and related paraplegia. These methods enabled many patients who had lost mobility to walk again and resume daily life.

The costotransversectomy involves removing the transverse processes of the ribs to relieve pressure and pain caused by thoracic diseases, while anterolateral spinal decompression enlarges the spinal canal space by removing compressive tissue or bone—alleviating symptoms of pain, numbness, and muscle weakness.

Dr. Yeh also performed sacroiliac joint resection to treat sacroiliac tuberculosis, providing an effective surgical option for patients with this debilitating condition.

During the mid-20th century, polio affected countless children in China. In response, Dr. Yeh developed a standardized and systematic surgical treatment protocol, offering a scientific and structured approach that dramatically improved care for children living with the disease.

Committed not only to innovation but also to dissemination, Dr. Yeh worked tirelessly to promote these techniques across China. Many of the treatment methods he introduced are now widely used nationwide, relieving the suffering of countless patients and transforming the landscape of orthopedic and trauma care in China.

In recognition of his lifelong dedication, Dr. Yeh was awarded a special government allowance by the State Council in 1990—one of the nation’s highest honors for medical professionals. On March 1, 1994, at 4:18 a.m., he passed away peacefully at the age of 88.

Editor: 
Chen Qing @ ShanghaiDoctor.cn
Li Yijing (An intern from Ohio State University) 

Note: Chinese Sources from “The Path of Benevolent Medicine” which was published in 2024. It records 90 important medical figures in the history of Renji Hospital. Yewen Renyi (ShanghaiDoctor.cn) team was one of the major writer of the book and is authorized by Renji hospital to create English version on the website of ShanghaiDoctor.cn