Hang Yannan, Professor of Anesthesiology, Former Director of the Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai

Introduction

He was a quiet giant in anesthesiology, a figure whose career spanned more than half a century of modern medicine in China. Born in the canal towns south of the Yangtze River, he dedicated his life to advancing the field of anesthesiology. In the face of disease and disaster, he was always on the front lines, saving countless lives with his own hands.

He gave selflessly to his profession. Under the glare of surgical lights, his presence was resolute. Every operation was a testament to the sanctity of life. His extensive written works and his humble demeanor were the truest reflections of his fifty-year medical journey.

Deeply aware of the importance of mentoring, he authored books to share his invaluable experience with future generations. Through clinical practice, he nurtured generations of medical talent. He embodied the perseverance of a healer and the compassion of a mentor. His contributions stand as an enduring legacy, guiding those who follow in his footsteps.

The Path to Medicine

Shuanglin Town, nestled by Lake Tai in the densely networked waterways of the Jiangnan region, was a fertile land. Clear streams meandered through the town, flanked by stone bridges and traditional white-walled homes.

Hang Yannan was born in October 1936 into an ordinary family in this water town of northern Zhejiang.

At the time, China was in turmoil, with war and poverty plunging countless lives into suffering. Hang’s family was not wealthy; they relied on the labor of his father and older brother to make ends meet. After junior high, Hang himself often joined in manual work. Financial constraints were severe, and with five children to educate, the shortage of labor intensified the pressure.

In 1943, seven-year-old Hang entered Shangyi Primary School. Though the facilities were rudimentary, it was the start of his life’s voyage. From childhood, Hang showed a keen interest in learning, particularly in the natural sciences.

In an era when average life expectancy barely exceeded thirty, diseases ravaged communities, often claiming the lives of relatives and friends. Young Hang witnessed firsthand the merciless toll of illness. These experiences planted in his heart the desire to heal and save lives.

After primary school, Hang enrolled at Ronghu Middle School in 1950. Despite financial hardships, he clung to his dream. In 1953, he excelled in the entrance examination for Jiaxing Medical School, embarking on his journey into medicine. In 1956, he graduated with distinction and was admitted to the Department of Medicine at the newly established Shanghai Second Medical College.

At Shanghai Second Medical College, Hang mastered cutting-edge medical theories and gained invaluable clinical experience, coming to understand the hardships and responsibilities of healthcare firsthand.

In 1961, Hang graduated and was assigned to the Department of Surgery at Renji Hospital, launching his medical career. In 1962, he transferred to the Department of Anesthesiology, a decision that laid the foundation for his future achievements.

At the time, Renji Hospital was one of Shanghai’s most renowned medical institutions, but working conditions were harsh, especially in anesthesiology. Operating rooms were cramped and outdated, lacking even basic rest areas for doctors. Hang and his colleagues often slept curled up on staircases or rested briefly against walls before rushing into the next surgery. The department also handled emergency resuscitation for critically ill patients across the hospital, requiring anesthesiologists to be on scene within minutes, day or night.

As a young physician, Hang always rushed to the front lines. He knew time was precious; arriving within three minutes to perform emergency tracheal intubation was a fundamental requirement. These few minutes often marked the divide between life and death. To Hang, patients were not just cases—they were individuals with families relying on them.

One case remained etched in his memory: a 12-year-old girl with severe myasthenia gravis who developed a postoperative crisis requiring respiratory support. The hospital lacked modern ventilators. For nine consecutive days and nights, Hang and his team provided manual ventilation using a T-shaped breathing bag, taking turns to safeguard the girl’s fragile life. After the grueling ordeal, her condition stabilized, and she gradually regained consciousness.

In 1964, Hang joined the Jinshan Medical Team. The area’s medical resources were severely underdeveloped, and schistosomiasis, a debilitating parasitic disease, was rampant. Leveraging his expertise in anesthesia, Hang participated in numerous splenectomies for advanced patients. Facing blood shortages, the team pioneered autologous splenic blood transfusion—reusing the patient’s own blood during surgery. This innovation significantly improved success rates. Over nine months, Hang’s team successfully performed 136 splenectomies, saving 136 families from despair.

From 1971 to 1978, Hang’s work centered at Gutian Hospital in a remote mountain valley in southern Anhui. The hospital was established to serve military factories and local communities as part of a national defense industrial relocation program. Hang’s work was grueling; he often trekked through mountains to treat patients in remote villages, working over ten consecutive hours under intense pressure.

In 1971, a major earthquake struck Yunnan. Hang joined the medical relief team, rushing to the disaster zone to treat the wounded in makeshift tents.

The 1976 Tangshan earthquake became an unforgettable chapter in his career. In moments, the city was leveled, with hundreds of thousands killed or injured. Hang once again charged to the front lines. Racing against time in the debris, he used his skills to save those clinging to life. During those days, he often worked over ten hours straight, knowing each life saved meant a family reborn.

Pioneering New Frontiers in Anesthesiology

After 1977, as the winds of reform swept across China, medicine began to flourish anew. With his passion and dedication, Hang embarked on a new chapter in anesthesiology.

In the late 1970s, China’s anesthesia technology and equipment lagged far behind the West. This historical gap, however, provided a vast stage for pioneers like Hang. Reform brought economic growth and unprecedented opportunities for medical advancement. He immersed himself in developing the anesthesiology department, determined to forge a new future for the field in China.

As a leader at Renji Hospital’s Department of Anesthesiology, Hang spearheaded the exploration of new techniques and methods. Building on the legacy of his predecessors, he boldly innovated, propelling the department to the forefront of academic research. In 1993, he established the Shanghai Second Medical University Research Laboratory for Anesthetic Pharmacology and Critical Care Monitoring, creating a new field of study focused on the metabolism, efficacy, and safety of anesthetic drugs in humans. This initiative marked Renji’s deep dive into specialized anesthesiology research.

In 1992, during renovations of the operating theaters at Renji Hospital’s West Campus, Hang invested tremendous effort. He participated in designing the new facilities and oversaw the upgrade and installation of advanced equipment.

In 1995, Hang founded the Teaching and Research Section for Anesthesiology at Renji Hospital, dedicating himself to clinical research and academic development. This platform became a driving force for cutting-edge research in the field. Under his leadership, the department evolved into a national benchmark, attracting young doctors to the discipline.

In 1999, when Renji Hospital’s East Campus opened, Hang took on the critical task of establishing the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU). Under his guidance, the SICU rapidly became the core facility for rescuing critically ill patients. Its establishment dramatically enhanced the hospital’s emergency capabilities. Previously, many critical patients couldn’t receive timely treatment due to technological limitations; the SICU changed this reality.

Hang often said, “Time is life.” Faced with patients on the brink of death, he and his team always raced against the clock. This efficiency saved countless families. Over a decade, the SICU achieved remarkable success in emergency care and trained numerous highly skilled anesthesiologists. These doctors inherited Hang’s swift, meticulous work ethic while continuously advancing their skills to provide high-quality anesthesia and critical care.

Hang’s academic achievements extended beyond clinical practice to groundbreaking research and innovation. He led Renji’s anesthesiology department to become a Shanghai Municipal Key Discipline in Anesthesiology, signaling rapid clinical and scientific development.

Under Professor Sun Dajin’s leadership, Hang collaborated with Ruijin Hospital and other affiliates to successfully establish China’s first doctoral program in anesthesiology, approved in 1998. Hang became the first doctoral supervisor in anesthesiology at Shanghai Second Medical University, pioneering doctoral training in the field.

As a national leader in anesthesiology, Hang pioneered research in cardiovascular monitoring techniques, introduced pulse oximetry monitoring, and conducted clinical pharmacological studies on intravenous anesthetics like etomidate, midazolam, propofol, and remifentanil. These innovations injected new vitality into the discipline and brought safer, more precise anesthesia to patients.

Additionally, Hang contributed to developing domestically produced and assembled imported anesthesia machines. This work advanced China’s medical device industry, reducing reliance on imports and enabling more hospitals to access advanced equipment, thereby elevating national healthcare standards.

Hang paid special attention to vulnerable populations, particularly elderly patients. As China’s population aged, surgical demand among seniors grew. However, age-related physiological changes alter how elderly patients metabolize and respond to anesthetics—a field then largely unexplored in China. Hang recognized its importance.

He led his team in studying the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anesthetic drugs in the elderly. Through extensive clinical trials and data analysis, they proposed innovative anesthesia management methods. These findings garnered widespread attention in China’s anesthesiology community and earned the Shanghai Medical Achievement Award (Third Prize).

Progress in Chinese anesthesiology relied on international exchange. Hang advocated “learning from the West,” actively promoting interaction between Chinese and foreign peers.

In 1986, at the 7th Asia-Pacific Congress of Anaesthesiologists in Hong Kong, he presented “A Comparative Study of Acupuncture and Intravenous Anesthesia on Cardiac Function”—the first time Chinese anesthesiology research was showcased on an international stage. He later participated in numerous global conferences, including the 1989 Sino-Japanese Anesthesia Symposium in Tokyo, introducing Chinese advancements to the world.

Hang became a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and established long-term ties with the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care at Fukuoka University Hospital in Japan. Through these exchanges, he not only learned advanced techniques but also introduced equipment and innovations like German anesthesia machines and liver transplant anesthesia protocols from the University of Colorado Hospital, significantly elevating clinical standards in China.

Hang understood that a nation’s medical progress depended not on a few elite physicians but on the collective advancement of all healthcare workers. Only by elevating the skills of countless practitioners could anesthesiology—and medicine as a whole—truly flourish. 

Pioneering New Frontiers in Anesthesiology

Following 1977, as China entered a new era of reform, its medical field began to flourish anew. Driven by his passion and dedication, Hang Yannan embarked on a new chapter in anesthesiology.

In the late 1970s, China’s anesthesia technology and equipment lagged far behind the West. This historical gap, however, presented a unique opportunity for pioneers like Hang. The nation’s reforms brought economic growth and unprecedented opportunities for medical advancement. He immersed himself in developing his anesthesiology department, determined to build a new future for the discipline in China.

As a leader in the Department of Anesthesiology at Renji Hospital, Hang spearheaded the exploration of new techniques and methods. Building on the legacy of his predecessors, he boldly innovated, propelling the department to the forefront of academic research. In 1993, he established the Shanghai Second Medical University Research Laboratory for Anesthetic Pharmacology and Critical Care Monitoring, creating a new field of study focused on the metabolism, efficacy, and safety of anesthetic drugs in humans. This initiative marked Renji Hospital’s deep dive into specialized anesthesiology research.

In 1992, during the renovation of the operating theaters at Renji Hospital’s West Campus, Hang played a pivotal role. He personally participated in designing the new facilities and oversaw the upgrade and installation of advanced equipment.

In 1995, Hang founded the Teaching and Research Section for Anesthesiology at Renji Hospital, dedicating himself to advancing clinical research and academic development. This platform became a driving force for cutting-edge research in the field. Under his leadership, the department evolved into a national benchmark, attracting a new generation of young doctors to the discipline.

In 1999, when Renji Hospital’s East Campus opened, Hang took on the critical task of establishing the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU). Under his guidance, the SICU rapidly became the core facility for rescuing critically ill patients. Its establishment dramatically enhanced the hospital’s emergency capabilities. Previously, many critical patients couldn’t receive timely treatment due to technological limitations; the SICU changed this reality.

Hang often said, “Time is life.” Faced with patients on the brink of death, he and his team always raced against the clock. This sense of urgency saved countless families. Over a decade, the SICU achieved remarkable success in emergency care and trained numerous highly skilled anesthesiologists. These doctors inherited Hang’s swift, meticulous work ethic while continuously advancing their skills to provide high-quality anesthesia and critical care.

Hang’s academic achievements extended beyond clinical practice to groundbreaking research and innovation. He led Renji’s anesthesiology department to be designated a Shanghai Municipal Key Discipline in Anesthesiology, signaling its rapid clinical and scientific development.

Under the leadership of Professor Sun Dajin, Hang collaborated with Ruijin Hospital and other affiliates to successfully establish China’s first doctoral program in anesthesiology, which was approved in 1998. Hang became the first doctoral supervisor in anesthesiology at Shanghai Second Medical University, pioneering doctoral training in the field.

As a national leader in anesthesiology, Hang was a pioneer in cardiovascular monitoring techniques, introduced pulse oximetry monitoring, and conducted clinical pharmacological studies on intravenous anesthetics like etomidate, midazolam, propofol, and remifentanil. These breakthroughs revitalized the discipline and brought safer, more precise anesthesia to patients.

Additionally, Hang contributed to developing domestically produced and imported-assembled anesthesia machines. This work advanced China’s medical device industry, reducing reliance on imports and enabling more hospitals to access advanced equipment, thereby elevating national healthcare standards.

Hang paid special attention to vulnerable populations, particularly elderly patients. As China’s population aged, the demand for surgery among seniors grew. However, age-related physiological changes alter how elderly patients metabolize and respond to anesthetics—a field then largely unexplored in China. Hang recognized its critical importance.

He led his team in studying the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anesthetic drugs in the elderly. Through extensive clinical trials and data analysis, they proposed innovative anesthesia management methods. These findings garnered widespread attention within China’s anesthesiology community and earned the Shanghai Medical Achievement Award (Third Prize).

Progress in Chinese anesthesiology relied on international exchange. Hang was a strong advocate for learning from the West, actively promoting collaboration between Chinese and foreign peers.

In 1986, at the 7th Asia-Pacific Congress of Anaesthesiologists in Hong Kong, he presented “A Comparative Study of Acupuncture and Intravenous Anesthesia on Cardiac Function”—the first time Chinese anesthesiology research was showcased on an international stage. He later participated in numerous global conferences, including the 1989 Sino-Japanese Anesthesia Symposium in Tokyo, introducing Chinese advancements to the world.

Hang became a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and established long-term ties with the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care at Fukuoka University Hospital in Japan. Through these exchanges, he not only learned advanced techniques but also introduced equipment and innovations, such as German anesthesia machines and liver transplant anesthesia protocols from the University of Colorado Hospital, significantly elevating clinical standards in China.

Hang understood that a nation’s medical progress depended not on a few elite physicians but on the collective advancement of all healthcare workers. Only by elevating the skills of countless practitioners could anesthesiology—and medicine as a whole—truly flourish.

Writing and Teaching: Passing on a Legacy of Compassion

Hang’s dedication to writing began early in his career. In 1963, an accident left him with three crushed metatarsal bones when a nitrous oxide cylinder fell. Though the injury required months of rest, Hang refused to stop working. He used the time to compile Renji Hospital’s first anesthesia manual—a vital practical guide for young residents, interns, and trainees that distilled his clinical experience into a tool for mentoring future generations.

In the 1970s, while traveling to disaster zones, Hang never abandoned his commitment to writing and teaching. Amid China’s turbulent times, when academic exchanges had nearly halted, Hang believed medical progress could not stall. He persistently studied advanced foreign anesthesia techniques, translating and writing numerous papers and reviews to bring this knowledge back to China.

In journals like Foreign Medical Sciences: Surgery and Foreign Medical Sciences: Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, Hang published translations and academic reviews, injecting fresh international perspectives into China’s anesthesiology development. He also contributed to Practical Anesthesiology, aiding the construction of Chinese anesthesia textbooks. These works expanded the horizons of young doctors and laid the groundwork for the systematic development of the discipline.

As reforms deepened, Hang gained broader academic platforms. He served for years as Secretary of the Shanghai Anesthesiology Society, organizing annual conferences, training workshops, and residency programs to cultivate future talent. Through these activities, he fostered extensive exchange and learning opportunities for Shanghai’s and the nation’s anesthesiology communities.

Over five decades, Hang never ceased his academic pursuits or writing. He annually subscribed to leading international journals like Anesthesiology and Anesthesia & Analgesia, constantly updating his knowledge. He also brought back the latest research from international anesthesia conferences for his domestic colleagues.

His scholarly output was prolific: 216 published papers totaling nearly a million characters, and over 20 books and manuals authored or co-edited, including Contemporary Anesthesia and Resuscitation, Handbook of Critical Care Medicine, Contemporary Anesthesiology, Practical Clinical Anesthesiology, and Cardiovascular Anesthesia and Postoperative Management. These works profoundly influenced Chinese anesthesiology, won multiple “East China Outstanding Book Awards,” and became essential resources for countless physicians.

“Selfless dedication” was both Hang’s personal creed and the principle he instilled in his students. For him, mentoring the next generation was not just a job but a sacred duty. With every student—whether in clinical training or thesis writing—Hang was meticulously hands-on. From selecting research topics to revising drafts, he always made time to guide every detail.

He also supported his students’ career development, sending many to the UK, US, Japan, and beyond for advanced training. Many became leading experts, academic leaders, or administrators. Examples include Professor Wen Daxiang, Director of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, who excelled in anesthesiology, critical care, and healthcare management; Professor Zhang Mazhong, Director of Anesthesiology at Shanghai Children’s Medical Center; Professor Gao Yuan, Director of Critical Care Medicine at Renji Hospital, who led his team to outstanding achievements; and others like Hong Tao, Zhang Xiaoqing, Zhang Tingjie, and Wang Qing, all making remarkable contributions in their respective fields.

Beyond medicine, Hang was known for his passion for calligraphy. Despite his demanding schedule, he practiced diligently. In 2011, he won third prize in a calligraphy competition for retired employees of Shanghai’s health system. For Hang, his brush could paint elegant characters, but more often, he used his skills, ethics, and compassion to write an indelible legacy of dedication to medicine.

On June 21, 2023, Hang Yannan passed away in Shanghai at the age of 87. As a renowned Chinese anesthesiologist and a founder of Renji Hospital’s Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, he laid a solid foundation for China’s anesthesiology through a lifetime of effort.

To this day, people remember Hang’s pen—recording Renji’s achievements in anesthesia medicine. With over fifty years of devotion, he charted the course of China’s anesthesiology and painted a masterpiece of lives reborn.

As he often said and wrote: “Dedication is sweet.”

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