Shi Weijin(1927-2015)，Professor of Surgery, Former Associate Director of General Surgery, Renji Hospital

Introduction

He built a monument to a life in medicine. A leading light in Chinese biliary surgery, his exceptional talent and expertise charted new paths in hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery. He steered the development of Shanghai’s unique approach to biliary surgery with innovative thinking and masterful skill. More than anything, he embodied the healer’s commitment to his patients with a compassionate heart and unwavering dedication.

His life was a testament to the endless exploration of surgical art and the dual pursuit of medical skill and ethical integrity. With extraordinary wisdom and diligence, he constantly pushed the boundaries of his field, elevating biliary surgery to new heights. In the operating rooms of Renji Hospital, he held himself to the highest standards, approaching every surgery as a tribute to life itself. His meticulous and dedicated work earned him widespread acclaim from patients and peers alike.

The Path to Medicine

Born in 1927 in Chongming, Shanghai, Shi Weijin came from a family of medicine; several of his elders were renowned physicians in the city. As a child, he listened to their stories of medical practice and was inspired by their noble mission to heal the sick. This family background immersed him in the world of medicine from an early age and laid a solid foundation for his future career.

In 1950, Shi Weijin was admitted to the prestigious Tongde Medical College, where he acquired a strong foundation in medical knowledge. Many of his classmates came from families of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners. This exposure led Shi Weijin to view the integration of Chinese and Western medicine as a cornerstone of his work.

During his university years, Shi Weijin focused on basic medical sciences and developed a keen interest in surgery. He was a highly motivated student, often found studying alone late into the night. This discipline forged the foundation for his future in medicine.

In 1955, the year after several medical colleges merged to form Shanghai Second Medical College, Shi Weijin graduated, officially becoming a physician.

After graduation, he joined Renji Hospital, where he encountered distinguished professors like Lan Xichun, Ye Yanqing, and He Shangzhi. These medical masters were not only experts in their fields but also influenced Shi Weijin with their noble ethics and rigorous scholarship. Deeply inspired, he maintained his passion for learning, developing a methodical habit of compiling detailed monthly reading notes to document his understanding and reflections.

Shi Weijin’s studies were meticulous. He began by mastering the appendix, thoroughly studying its histology, embryology, pathology, and clinical treatment. He combined book learning with hands-on practice to grasp the fundamental theories of surgery.

Amidst his busy clinical work, Shi Weijin constantly compared textbook knowledge with actual cases, analyzing differences to find patterns. This method enhanced his clinical skills, making him more composed when facing complex problems. He often said: “Medicine is not just a science; it is an art. Only through continuous learning and practice can one truly grasp its essence.”

As a surgeon, Shi Weijin was dedicated to mastering his craft. He voluntarily returned to the dissection room after graduation to repeatedly review cadaveric anatomy, knowing that a deep understanding of the human body and its variations was crucial for surgical precision. He often remarked: “A surgeon must possess both solid technical skills and a profound understanding of the human body.”

To hone his skills, Shi Weijin set impossibly high standards for himself. He spent long hours under the surgical lights, constantly refining his technique. His record was an astonishing 52 consecutive hours of work. He viewed surgery as an art form, demanding perfection in every detail. This focus allowed his surgical skills to mature rapidly, earning him widespread praise.

Shi Weijin’s efforts did not go unnoticed. His performance at Renji Hospital earned recognition from his superiors, and his meticulous work ethic won the trust and praise of patients, establishing an excellent reputation within the hospital.

Shi Weijin came to understand that while individual effort is crucial, teamwork is the key to medical progress. He collaborated with colleagues to tackle challenges and actively mentored younger doctors, sharing his experience and fostering a positive atmosphere of continuous learning.

Over time, Shi Weijin became a surgical expert. In the operating room, his skills were superb—rigorous yet flexible. For him, every surgery was a masterpiece in the making.

Pioneer of Shanghai-Style Biliary Surgery

As a leading clinical surgeon, Shi Weijin was a prominent figure in the national surgical community and a pioneer of hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery in Shanghai. He introduced numerous advanced medical technologies and, leveraging his exceptional intellect and diligence, designed a series of innovative biliary instruments that facilitated surgery and brought relief to countless patients.

In the 1980s, with the rapid development of medical technology, Shi Weijin recognized the importance of adopting new methods. In the early 1980s, he pioneered the introduction of Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography and Drainage (PTCD) to China. This minimally invasive technique was crucial for diagnosing and treating biliary diseases, allowing physicians to image and drain the biliary tract without open surgery. Shortly after introducing it, he further refined the technology and promoted its clinical use.

The introduction of PTCD marked a new era in biliary disease treatment. Shi Weijin understood that for many patients, especially those with residual stones after traditional surgery, less invasive options were needed. PTCD provided an effective and safe alternative. Despite the limitations of the time, Shi Weijin systematically established standardized procedures for PTCD, ensuring its safety and efficacy. His 1984 paper, “Application of Interventional Radiology in Biliary Surgery,” attracted widespread attention and solidified his standing in the field.

Shi Weijin was not content with simply importing technology; he began innovating on his own. He focused on a major problem: residual biliary stones after surgery, which caused significant patient suffering. After extensive experimentation, he designed and created a complete set of specialized instruments for stone removal. These instruments, simple to operate and less traumatic for patients, helped thousands find relief after common bile duct exploration.

At the same time, Shi Weijin championed fiberoptic choledochoscopy, an emerging technology in the 1980s that many surgeons were hesitant to adopt. Drawing on his deep experience, he was an early adopter, developing a unique set of operational techniques that improved diagnostic and treatment efficiency. In his 1990 paper, he systematically elaborated on the advantages of choledochoscopy, which significantly improved the diagnostic rate for biliary diseases and enabled more timely and effective treatment.

In the early 1990s, Shi Weijin established the Shanghai Biliary Disease Consultation Center. It united top specialists from Shanghai’s major hospitals to tackle complex hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) diseases. Shi Weijin’s vision and organizational skills made the center a national leader, bringing relief to numerous patients with difficult liver, gallbladder, and pancreatic conditions.

This cross-hospital collaboration accelerated diagnosis and treatment for difficult cases and created a valuable environment for learning and professional development. Shi Weijin also used the center to promote medical education, offering training and guidance to young doctors. Through this collaborative approach, he and his colleagues developed more effective strategies for complex cases, setting a national example and advancing the entire discipline.

In his academic research, Shi Weijin’s innovative thinking repeatedly brought new hope to patients. He challenged conventional treatment by becoming the first in China to advocate for the resection of choledochal cysts. He argued that this approach could effectively prevent long-term complications like biliary infections and liver damage. To address the common problem of reflux cholangitis after surgery, he introduced the advanced technique of interposed jejunal anastomosis, which successfully reduced the risk of recurrence.

Demonstrating his holistic approach, Shi Weijin independently developed Shudan Mixture, a herbal medicine designed to prevent and treat biliary stones and reduce postoperative infections. The scientifically formulated combination of herbal ingredients promoted stone passage and reduced inflammation, offering a new tool for comprehensive care. His 1995 paper on the subject earned widespread recognition and provided an important reference for future treatments.

Shi Weijin also applied his innovative thinking to pancreatic diseases. He observed that patients with pancreatic head tumors often suffered severe pain that didn’t respond to conventional treatments. Drawing a parallel to chronic pancreatitis, he theorized the pain was caused by high pressure in the pancreatic duct. He proposed pancreaticojejunostomy with stenting for internal drainage, a less invasive procedure to relieve pressure and alleviate pain. This strategy proved highly effective, especially for patients too weak for major surgery.

Beyond these landmark achievements, Shi Weijin’s influence was vast. He developed effective techniques for managing biliary hemorrhage, promoted minimally invasive surgery, and kept a keen eye on emerging fields like tumor biotherapy and regenerative medicine. As a dedicated educator and mentor, he also cultivated a new generation of medical talent, advancing the entire discipline.

Father of the Journal of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery

As a leading figure in Chinese hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery, Shi Weijin was revered in his field as the “Eastern Biliary Master.”

Shi Weijin understood that medical progress depends on academic exchange and the dissemination of knowledge. To advance research in HPB surgery, he founded the Journal of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery in 1992. This filled a significant void in China, which had no dedicated academic journal for this specialized field. It provided a high-quality platform for medical professionals to share research findings and discuss clinical experiences.

As the founding Editor-in-Chief, Shi Weijin meticulously reviewed every paper and detail of the journal. He encouraged young researchers to submit their work, fostering a vibrant academic community. His efforts provided patients with more scientifically sound treatment options and elevated the professional standards of physicians. Today, the journal is a vital channel for academic exchange in HPB surgery and has become a renowned academic publication both in China and internationally.

Shi Weijin placed great importance on cultivating and mentoring the next generation, particularly in their professional knowledge and skills. Over the years, his dedicated guidance trained dozens of doctoral and master’s students, who have since become key figures in the HPB field. He believed that nurturing talent was a physician’s most important mission. He not only imparted medical knowledge but also instilled a scientific spirit, clinical thinking, and humanistic care, enabling every student to find their own path in medicine.

Shi Weijin was a prolific author. His edited monographs, such as Biliary Surgery and Pancreatology, have been widely used in clinical practice and medical education. These books cover a broad spectrum from basic research to clinical application, providing the academic community with a systematic knowledge base and filling multiple gaps in the field.

Furthermore, Shi Weijin contributed to over 20 medical books, including Operative Biliary Surgery, Theory and Practice of Biliary Surgery, and Contemporary Biliary Surgery. The publication of these books advanced the standardization of biliary surgery in China. His contributions to academia have become essential references for future generations of medical professionals.

Shi Weijin published over 270 papers, covering numerous key studies in biliary surgery. These papers have been widely cited, driving the development and refinement of the field.

Shi Weijin actively participated in and organized national academic conferences on HPB surgery and continuing education courses. At these events, he shared his research and experience, creating opportunities for physicians to learn and exchange ideas. Through this continuous academic interaction, he promoted the internationalization of Chinese HPB surgery, fostering deeper communication and cooperation between experts from China and abroad.

On the morning of September 4, 2015, while performing surgery, Shi Weijin suddenly collapsed beside the operating table. In the final moments of his life, he remained at the post he loved, fighting for a patient in urgent need. He was rushed to Shanghai Tongji Hospital for emergency treatment, but had already suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. After three days of intensive care, he passed away at 7:29 PM on September 7, at the age of 88.

Shi Weijin’s passing triggered profound mourning throughout the national HPB surgery community. His colleagues and students remembered with deep sorrow this great healer’s selfless dedication to academia and his boundless care for others. Shi Weijin spent his life embodying the responsibility and commitment of a surgeon. His dedication to his craft, reflected in the seriousness and meticulousness of every operation, is deeply ingrained in the lives of every patient he treated.

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