Dr. Yunhai Yang is a leading thoracic surgeon specializing in lung cancer at Shanghai Chest Hospital, holding a Ph.D. in Medicine and serving as a mentor for master’s students. He is the chief expert at the “Surgical Techniques Network,” a member of the Youth Committee of the Shanghai Organ Transplantation Association, and a committee member of the Robotic Thoracic Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association. Additionally, Dr. Yang is part of the Minimally Invasive Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association and serves as the vice-chairman of the Minimally Invasive Surgery Working Group within the Thoracic Surgery Branch of the Shanghai Medical Doctor Association. He is also a member of the Thoracic Oncology Panel of the Cross-Strait Medical and Health Exchange Association and the Secretary-General of the Multidisciplinary Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment Fund Committee of the Wu Jieping Medical Foundation. Dr. Yang’s extensive involvement in various medical associations and his leadership roles highlight his significant contributions to thoracic surgery and cancer treatment.

    As evening falls, the hallway outside the operating rooms at the Chest Hospital is steeped in silence. The door to Operating Room 2 swings open, and Dr. Yunhai Yang steps in, adjusting his 3D glasses with a calm yet purposeful stride.

The “Fast” Behind the Scenes: Mastery Through Repetition

    Dr. Yang is known for his speed in the operating room. It’s a reputation that has left many in awe—and some in disbelief. Once, a trainee secretly timed him during a single-port thoracoscopic lobectomy: just 20 minutes from start to finish. Some colleagues even questioned whether his surgical videos were sped up. To this, Dr. Yang simply smiles and says, “When you’ve walked the same path a thousand times, you can navigate it blindfolded. But for patients, every minute counts. Saving time can mean saving lives.”

    Anesthesiologists who’ve worked with him echo this sentiment: “Dr. Yang’s surgeries are fast. Trainees often think his live-streamed videos on his Surgical Techniques Network are set to 1.5x speed. Others wonder if he’s using some special electrocautery tools exclusive to our hospital—some even want to buy them! But no, it’s not the tools. It’s his mastery. With over 10,000 minimally invasive surgeries under his belt, he knows every anatomical pathway like the back of his hand. Every move is deliberate, every cut precise.”

    His speed isn’t recklessness—it’s the result of decades of experience and an encyclopedic knowledge of anatomy. Every incision, every clip, is placed with surgical precision, leaving no room for hesitation or wasted motion. “Speed in surgery isn’t about rushing,” he often says. “It’s about minimizing trauma and reducing anesthesia time for the patient.”

    This near-instinctive skill is the product of over 20 years of clinical practice. Every morning, Dr. Yang arrives early to review his patients’ imaging, mentally mapping out the surgical approach. He visualizes CT scans as 3D models, anticipating anatomical variations. “Surgery is like chess,” he once remarked. “A master thinks ten moves ahead.”

The “Slow” That Makes Speed Possible: Attention to Detail

    While Dr. Yang’s surgeries are fast, his preparation is meticulous. He demands that his team leaves nothing to chance. Before every operation, they must confirm the exact location of the lesion, the surgical approach, potential vascular anomalies, and even the order of instruments. In his operating room, there’s no room for “maybe” or “close enough”—only “must” and “ensure.”

    “Speed in surgery is built on the foundation of slow, deliberate preparation,” Dr. Yang explains. “If you’re not fully prepared, you’ll waste time hesitating or correcting mistakes, which slows everything down.” He emphasizes the importance of clear anatomical separation, believing it’s key to minimizing bleeding and shortening surgery time. “The interlobar fissure is like a sheet of paper—if you tear it carelessly, it’ll rip. But if you find the right plane, it separates effortlessly.”

    During surgery, Dr. Yang’s 3D glasses are a constant presence. Some assume they’re just part of his personal style, but in reality, they’re a tool to protect his vision and reduce screen glare during long procedures. He rarely speaks, his focus locked on the monitor as his hands maneuver the electrocautery hook and ultrasonic scalpel with the precision of a virtuoso.

    “In the operating room, distraction is the enemy,” he says. “Every surgery is a new challenge. Even if you’ve done it ten thousand times, you approach it like it’s your first.”

    For Dr. Yang, the balance between speed and precision isn’t just a skill—it’s an art. And in the high-stakes world of thoracic surgery, it’s an art that saves lives.

    In the early spring of 2022, after completing a particularly complex surgery at Shanghai Chest Hospital, Dr. Yunhai Yang didn’t leave the operating room as he usually would. Instead, he picked up his phone and began narrating the surgical video he had just recorded. “The key to this step lies in handling the bronchial stump…” This marked the birth of the first instructional video for Thoracic Surgery Videos, a WeChat public account.

The Genesis of an Idea

    At first, it was just a simple idea. Traditional academic conferences had limited time, and live-streamed surgeries often lacked detailed explanations. Dr. Yang decided to create Thoracic Surgery Videos to provide precise commentary for every step of the procedure. In its first month, the account had barely 100 followers—mostly colleagues and students from his hospital. But soon, the videos began circulating in professional WeChat groups.

    “Dr. Yang, I’ve watched your video seven times!” A message from Dr. Zhang, a surgeon at a county hospital in Gansu, made Dr. Yang realize the value of these resources for doctors in remote areas far exceeded his expectations. He began recording systematically: from basic suturing techniques to complex reconstructions, each video was like a miniature surgical textbook.

From WeChat to a Full-Fledged Platform

    As the content grew, a simple WeChat account could no longer meet the demand. In 2022, Surgical Techniques Network (www.surg-video.com) was launched.

    “This is a platform for surgical videos with detailed commentary,” Dr. Yang explained.

    The professional platform featured a tiered course system: junior doctors could learn basic procedural norms, while experienced surgeons could study rare case studies. The most popular section was the “Surgical Challenges Explained,” where doctors analyzed key points of typical surgeries frame by frame.

Impact and Recognition

    In the website’s guestbook, Dr. Yang often received messages like, “After learning from your platform, I performed my hospital’s first single-port thoracoscopic surgery.” Such feedback became increasingly common. By 2024, the site had over 10,000 regular users, most from hospitals in smaller cities and rural areas.

    At the end of 2024, during an online conference, over 200 doctors from 17 provinces watched Dr. Yang demonstrate a complex mediastinal tumor resection. The discussion continued late into the night after the live stream.

    What made Dr. Yang most proud wasn’t the numbers but the feedback from hospitals and doctors across the country.

    “Our users include surgeons from top-tier hospitals in Xinjiang, chief surgeons from rural clinics in Jiangxi, and regional hospital doctors in Jiangsu. Their recognition of the platform and their active engagement with us bring me immense joy and a sense of fulfillment.”

A Growing Legacy

    Today, Surgical Techniques Network features a wealth of new videos and programs. Yet, Dr. Yang still personally reviews every core teaching module. “Seeing young doctors from local hospitals grow through this platform is like watching countless surgical lights illuminate across the country,” he says.

    From one man’s persistence to the participation of doctors nationwide; from a few surgical videos to a comprehensive continuing education platform—this scalpel, passed through the internet, is helping Chinese surgeons improve and learn from one another.

    As one user wrote in the comments section: “Here, there are no walls of big hospitals, just us, eager to learn, and you, generously sharing. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.”

“As doctors, we must always put patients at the center of everything we do.” This is a phrase Dr. Yunhai Yang often repeats in the Thoracic Surgery Department at Shanghai Chest Hospital. In an era of increasingly strained medical resources, he remains steadfast in his patient-centered approach, weaving compassion and care into every detail of his practice.

A Personalized Approach to Care

During preoperative assessments, Dr. Yang personally reviews each patient’s imaging data, meticulously refining the surgical plan. “Every patient is a unique individual,” he says. “Just as no two leaves are exactly alike, each patient’s anatomy has its own nuances.” This meticulous attention to detail ensures that even the most complex cases receive the most appropriate treatment.

Bridging the Gap with Clear Communication

Dr. Yang excels in patient communication. No matter how busy his schedule, he takes the time to patiently answer every question. One patient from a remote area recalled, “When Dr. Yang explained my condition, he used simple, relatable analogies that even I, a layperson, could understand.” This approachable demeanor has brought comfort and reassurance to countless patients.

He is also deeply concerned about managing patients’ medical costs. “When we talk about staying true to our初心 (original intention), for us doctors, it means never forgetting our duty to heal and save lives,” he often says.

A Commitment to Every Step of the Journey

Dr. Yang’s dedication extends beyond the operating room. From preoperative evaluations to postoperative recovery, he personally follows up on each patient to ensure every step of the process is optimized. During surgery, his occasional humor lightens the mood. “Hey, your mirror’s making me dizzy!” he once quipped, pointing out an issue while easing the tension. When faced with a simpler procedure, he might joke, “This one’s too easy! Nonono, let’s stay humble…” This ability to balance seriousness with levity helps the team relax and perform at their best.

Precision and Rigor in Practice

Dr. Yang is known for his uncompromising standards. “Medicine is a rigorous science; there’s no room for carelessness,” he often emphasizes. Once, he noticed that the surgical instruments weren’t arranged according to protocol and immediately insisted on reorganizing them. This meticulousness sets a high bar for his team, ensuring everyone operates with precision and discipline.

Mentoring the Next Generation

When it comes to training young doctors, Dr. Yang is exceptionally demanding. He knows the weight of responsibility that comes with holding a scalpel. “A scalpel isn’t a toy; every cut is tied to a patient’s life,” he reminds them. Under his guidance, young surgeons must memorize surgical procedures and even simulate how to handle emergencies. During morning meetings or preoperative discussions, he often asks, “If you encounter unexpected bleeding during surgery, what would you do?” These questions test their knowledge while honing their ability to stay calm and make quick decisions under pressure.

“There are no shortcuts to becoming a skilled surgeon,” Dr. Yang frequently says. He believes that only through repeated practice and continuous reflection can one make the right call in critical moments. Every surgery is a test of both skill and mindset, and mastering these challenges requires years of experience and personal effort.

Dr. Yang’s strict approach isn’t just about ensuring surgical safety and success; it’s about cultivating a new generation of capable, responsible surgeons. In his eyes, demanding excellence is a way to honor patients and lay a solid foundation for young doctors’ careers. Through rigorous training and mentorship, he hopes to pass on his decades of experience and expertise, empowering the next generation to continue safeguarding the health and lives of countless patients.

A Legacy of Care and Excellence

For Dr. Yang, the journey of a surgeon is about more than just technical mastery—it’s about embodying compassion, responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to patients and teammates alike. Through his leadership, he’s not just shaping skilled surgeons but also nurturing a culture of care that ensures no patient or team member is ever left behind.

Onsite Interview

ShanghaiDoctor.cn:
You once mentioned a particularly memorable patient who gave you a lot of inspiration. Could you elaborate on that?

Dr. Yunhai Yang:
I still remember that patient vividly. He was a middle-aged man with locally advanced lung cancer. The pathology confirmed that all the lymph nodes we dissected were metastatic. To be honest, when I saw his CT scan, I felt uncertain—cases like this are almost always considered contraindications for surgery in clinical practice.

But the look of despair mixed with a glimmer of hope in the patient and his family made it impossible for me to say the word “give up.” I remember clearly how the patient held my hand and said, “Dr. Yang, I know the chances are slim, but this is my last attempt.” At that moment, I made up my mind to give it my all, no matter what.

On the day of the surgery, our team prepared thoroughly. When we opened the chest cavity, the situation was even worse than the imaging had shown. I held my breath, meticulously dissecting every layer, afraid of damaging any critical structures. After several hours of surgery, my scrubs were soaked with sweat. The patient was discharged after recovery, and we lost touch.

What I never expected was that six years later, while I was in the outpatient clinic, I suddenly heard someone call out, “Dr. Yang!” I looked up, and it was that very patient. He had surpassed the five-year survival mark and came specifically to tell me that all his indicators were stable.

This experience taught me an important lesson: as doctors, we should never be too quick to pronounce a “death sentence” on our patients. The boundaries of medicine are sometimes unpredictable. Now, whenever I encounter similar challenging cases, I think of this patient. Not only did he survive, but he thrived—and that’s the greatest encouragement for us as doctors.

ShanghaiDoctor.cn:
You’ve been at Shanghai Chest Hospital for quite a few years now. Could you share your thoughts on working here?

Dr. Yunhai Yang:
Joining Shanghai Chest Hospital was the most significant turning point in my career. This place is not only the birthplace of thoracic oncology surgery in China but also a hub for top-tier medical resources and exceptional talent. I remember when I first arrived, I was exposed to a wide range of complex cases daily, from simple lung nodules to intricate mediastinal tumors. These invaluable clinical experiences are hard to come by in other hospitals.

ShanghaiDoctor.cn:
You’ve mentioned that you deeply admire Dr. Luo Qingquan. Could you elaborate on that?

Dr. Yunhai Yang:
Dr. Luo is one of the most important mentors in my career. He embodies the rigorous approach of senior experts while maintaining a keen sensitivity to new technologies. What I admire most is how he always encourages young doctors to break free from traditional thinking and push boundaries.

ShanghaiDoctor.cn:
As a seasoned thoracic oncology surgeon, what do you think makes the medical profession uniquely special?

Dr. Yunhai Yang:
This is a question I’ve pondered for many years. Unlike other professions, every decision we make as doctors directly impacts patients’ quality of life and their families’ well-being. Take thoracic oncology surgery, for example. From preparation to completion, a single surgery often involves dozens of critical steps, each requiring 100% focus. While innovation in technique is important, safety must always come first. I often tell young doctors that we shouldn’t just aim for surgical success rates but also prioritize patients’ postoperative quality of life. This reverence for life, along with the accompanying sense of responsibility and pressure, is perhaps what makes the medical profession uniquely special. It’s also why we must maintain a lifelong commitment to learning and continuously refine our skills.

Editor: Chen Qing @ ShanghaiDoctor.cn

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