Wang Yijing (1899-1990): A Pioneer in Urology, Second-Class Professor, and Former Head of the Urology Department at Renji Hospital, One of the Founders of Chinese Urology 

Introduction:

       He was a pioneer in Chinese medicine, a founding figure of urology in China, and established the urology department at Renji Hospital.

Driven by a vision to advance medical standards and public health, he pursued his ideals fearlessly in his youth. To achieve this, he traveled abroad to study medicine. Known for his broad perspective, he consistently approached problems in ways that left a lasting impression on colleagues.

Drawing on his extensive experience, he mentored generations of dedicated students. Wang committed his career to advancing urology and providing exceptional patient care. His pioneering contributions established foundational practices that continue to shape the field.

The Path of Medicine:

Born in 1899 into a prosperous family, Wang Yijing demonstrated exceptional intellect from an early age. In 1916, he enrolled at Shanghai Nanyang Public School (founded 1907), an institution known for its rigorous academic programs.

At Shanghai Nanyang Public School, Wang excelled academically, often analyzing problems thoroughly in class. He frequented the school library, where he would read deeply, reflect, and occasionally experience sudden insights that he eagerly documented in his notebook. Actively involved in academic activities and student organizations, he continuously challenged himself while expanding his knowledge.

After graduating, Wang was admitted to the science department at St. John’s University in Shanghai, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1921.

St. John’s University (founded 1879), a leader in medical education, provided Wang with comprehensive theoretical and clinical training.

In the same year, Wang entered the university’s medical school with an excellent academic record. Medical training demanded extensive coursework, laboratory work, internships, and clinical practice.

Wang earned his medical doctorate from St. John’s University in 1924, culminating years of rigorous study and practical training. Due to his outstanding performance, he began working as a resident physician in the surgery department at the university’s affiliated hospital. To refine his clinical skills, he focused on surgical techniques and disease management, becoming adept at emergency care while enhancing his practical experience. He collaborated closely with colleagues, prioritizing compassionate patient care and ensuring patient safety and well-being.

In 1926, Wang was selected for advanced urology training at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School, based on his exceptional clinical work. Though the journey to the U.S. was arduous, he embraced the opportunity to master advanced medical techniques in a new environment.

At the University of Pennsylvania, Wang specialized in urology research, studying cutting-edge medical techniques and knowledge. He regularly engaged with leading scholars and physicians, deepening his understanding of contemporary medical theories.

He maintained a demanding schedule, dedicating long hours to coursework, research, literature review, practical training, and laboratory work. He methodically addressed complex medical challenges, striving to integrate theory with practice. His diligence and research focus drove continuous academic growth.

Despite being abroad, Wang remained deeply connected to his homeland, which strengthened his resolve to apply his expertise in China upon his return.

Wang completed his master’s degree in urology research at the University of Pennsylvania in 1928. Proud of his achievements, he then became a urology attending physician at Philadelphia Municipal Hospital. There, he pioneered surgical techniques for bladder stone removal, reducing patient mortality by 30%. His innovations earned respect from colleagues and patients, establishing him as a highly regarded Chinese physician.

Throughout his time in the U.S., Wang nurtured a strong desire to contribute to China’s healthcare development. He decided to return home, bringing with him not only advanced medical knowledge and skills but also valuable insights from Western medical practice. These experiences profoundly influenced his career.

Returning to China in 1930, Wang was appointed as a medical instructor at St. John’s University in Shanghai and concurrently headed the urology department at Tongren Hospital. Shanghai, a dynamic international hub and center for medical education, provided an ideal setting for him to apply his expertise clinically.

In 1938, Wang was promoted to professor in recognition of his excellence in medicine and teaching, becoming one of the university’s most respected experts. This role solidified his leadership in Chinese urology and enabled him to train future specialists.

During the Anti-Japanese War, developing the department proved challenging. Despite systemic obstacles in China’s healthcare landscape, Wang persisted, training numerous professionals through integrated clinical and educational programs.

From 1941, Wang served as president of Hongren Hospital and head of its urology department, laying a critical foundation for Chinese urology. Recognizing that many urology patients lacked access to effective care, he established a dedicated department to improve treatment availability.

As president, Wang further advanced the hospital’s urology department by introducing new technologies, expanding facilities, and recruiting specialists. He built a high-caliber team that made the department a national leader and model. Under his leadership, the department performed hundreds of complex urological surgeries annually, setting benchmarks for the field.

New China, New Urology

Reflecting on urology’s progress during the first five years after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yijing observed: “Prior to 1949, China’s healthcare system faced severe challenges due to limited resources and instability. In the six years following the establishment of the PRC, medical advancements accelerated significantly, supported by national policies prioritizing public health.”

In his assessment, China achieved remarkable breakthroughs across multiple fields within this brief period. Before 1949, renal tuberculosis was prevalent nationwide, particularly among young adults, severely impacting workforce productivity. Historical records indicate that China’s earliest diagnosis and treatment of renal tuberculosis occurred around 1920. However, due to scarce specialized medical personnel and generally low living standards, only a minimal number of patients received treatment. For instance, between 1932 and 1942, Dr. Xie Yuanfu treated merely 56 cases over a decade—an average of five to six cases annually.

After 1949, significant progress emerged in renal tuberculosis treatment. In 1954, Dr. Wu Decheng successfully treated 511 cases, followed by Dr. Fan Supei’s treatment of 397 cases in 1955. These dramatic increases reflected both improved medical conditions and technological advancements.

In nephrectomy, the historically high mortality rate also declined substantially. International literature previously reported mortality rates as high as 58%, yet during the first five years after 1949, this figure gradually decreased to 0.7%. Domestic studies further confirmed China’s nephrectomy mortality rate at just 0.8%, indicating that Chinese medical professionals had achieved technical proficiency comparable to global standards. Notably, incomplete data revealed zero fatalities in nephrectomies performed at major hospitals nationwide, further underscoring advancements in surgical safety and technique.

Wang Yijing derived deep satisfaction from these achievements.

In 1957, Wang Yijing was appointed Deputy Director of Surgery and Director of Urology at Renji Hospital. He then concentrated on developing and innovating surgical techniques, driving rapid progress in Chinese urology. Wang pioneered retropubic prostatectomy—a groundbreaking procedure that significantly improved treatment outcomes and survival rates for prostate cancer patients. After years of intensive research and practice, Wang and his team successfully implemented this innovative surgery in 1958.

The retropubic prostatectomy represented a forward-looking milestone in urology. It effectively addressed the complexity, high bleeding risks, and structural damage associated with traditional approaches, substantially enhancing treatment efficacy for various prostate conditions. Additionally, Wang creatively proposed a “step-by-step resection” strategy, elevating surgical precision and therapeutic outcomes to new levels. This innovation not only advanced urological techniques in China but also contributed valuable insights to the global field.

Wang also conducted extensive research on postoperative patient management, inventing the “tidal drainage system.” This device introduced periodic gas infusion to prevent catheter obstruction and reduce infection risks. Specifically designed for urine drainage following prostate surgery, it overcame critical limitations of traditional catheters, including high infection rates and urinary blockages.

Unlike conventional catheters, the tidal system employed intermittent gas agitation to achieve “tidal” drainage, enabling faster, smoother urine flow while significantly reducing patient discomfort. Its practicality and durability earned widespread clinical acclaim. Wang’s innovation markedly enhanced postoperative recovery for prostate cancer patients, establishing him as a leading figure in global urology and accelerating medical device research in China.

The 1950s–1970s marked Wang Yijing’s most productive decades. During this period, he pioneered intestinal applications in urology and initiated kidney transplantation research. Wang developed enterocystoplasty (bladder reconstruction using intestinal segments), which became essential for kidney transplantation by addressing donor-recipient ureteral length discrepancies and ensuring procedural success.

In 1963, Wang launched animal studies on kidney transplantation, marking a significant advancement in China’s transplantation capabilities. These experiments tested immunosuppressive regimens and surgical techniques, establishing key protocols for allograft transplantation—including donor-recipient matching, operative methods, and immunosuppressive drug dosing. This foundational work provided critical theoretical and practical groundwork for subsequent clinical applications.

By 1969, Renji Hospital had emerged as a urology leader. Confronted with limited treatment options for kidney disease and the precarious lives of renal failure patients, the hospital undertook a groundbreaking allograft transplantation procedure. Under Wang’s leadership, the team meticulously prepared and executed this historic surgery, achieving complete success. The patient’s renal function improved significantly post-transplantation, dramatically enhancing their quality of life.

This breakthrough offered new hope to renal failure patients and laid a robust foundation for kidney transplantation development in China. Renji Hospital’s pioneering effort represented a major stride forward in the field, providing invaluable experience and inspiration for future medical research and clinical practice.

Scientific Research and Education: Revitalizing China

Beginning in the 1930s, Wang Yijing dedicated significant efforts to medical education. Recognizing the underdeveloped state of medical education and healthcare standards in China at the time, Wang—drawing on his dual expertise as a clinician and educator—emphasized the urgent need to enhance educational quality. He systematically refined teaching methodologies to deliver a comprehensive, clinically oriented, and practice-focused curriculum79.

Leveraging his extensive clinical experience, Wang designed rigorous, evidence-based educational programs to improve teaching efficacy. He pioneered case-based teaching approaches, facilitating in-depth analyses of cases from diverse hospitals and practitioners. This method enabled students to deepen their understanding of disease pathology and sharpen diagnostic and therapeutic skills39.

Additionally, Wang compiled decades of clinical cases and insights into practical manuals for students. These resources emphasized case analysis and treatment protocol summaries, employing clear, accessible language to help students grasp complex medical concepts and master hands-on skills. Through these innovations, Wang made enduring contributions to China’s medical education landscape37.

Wang championed the integration of theory and practice, advocating an educational model that merged knowledge with clinical application. His pedagogical approach not only transmitted his clinical expertise but also pioneered new educational paradigms, marking a milestone in Chinese medical education. His work and philosophy continue to influence generations of medical educators79.

In scientific research, Wang published “Fifty Cases of Appendicitis” in the Chinese Medical Journal in 1924. This seminal study analyzed 50 appendicitis cases, advancing diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical understanding of the disease7.

On July 1, 1929, while at the University of Pennsylvania, Wang co-authored “Studies on the Comparative Clinical Values of Various So-Called Urinary Antiseptics” with mentor B.A. Thomas in Urology. This marked the first publication by a Chinese urologist in an international journal, establishing a precedent for global academic engagement710.

Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Wang published “Horseshoe Kidney” and “Bladder Foreign Bodies” (1954) in the Chinese Journal of Surgery, followed by “Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia” (1955) and the textbook Water, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance (Hongwen Publishing House). These works garnered widespread attention for their clinical insights: “Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia” provided comprehensive guidance on etiology and management, while the case-based papers offered practical diagnostic frameworks for surgeons710.

In 1987, at age 90, Wang completed his role as editor-in-chief of Urogenital Surgery. This collaborative work—authored by over 40 urology professors from Shanghai’s medical schools—systematized advancements in urogenital surgery since 1949. Spanning 28 chapters and over one million words, the textbook integrated anatomy, diagnostic techniques (e.g., imaging, radionuclide scans), and disease management, with detailed surgical protocols and dedicated sections on pediatric urology. Its concise language, illustrative diagrams, and theory-practice synergy made it an indispensable resource for clinicians and trainees710.

Wang passed away in 1990, yet his legacy at Renji Hospital endured. The urology department he founded evolved into a nationally recognized center of excellence, cementing his impact on China’s medical landscape

Editor: 
Chen Qing @ ShanghaiDoctor.cn

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 writers of the book and is authorized by Renji hospital to create English version on the website of ShanghaiDoctor.cn