Expert Pancreatic Surgery at One of China's Premier Surgical Centers
The Department of Pancreatic Surgery at Ruijin Hospital — affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine — is one of China's most distinguished centers for the surgical management of pancreatic diseases. With expertise spanning pancreatic cancer, cystic tumors, neuroendocrine tumors, chronic pancreatitis, and minimally invasive pancreatic surgery, the department offers comprehensive surgical care for patients with conditions ranging from early-stage resectable tumors to complex locally advanced disease requiring multidisciplinary management.
For international patients seeking expert pancreatic surgical care in Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital's pancreatic surgery department offers a combination of high surgical volume, advanced minimally invasive capability, and a fully integrated pancreatic disease program that is among the finest in China. China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) provides seamless end-to-end coordination for international patients throughout their surgical journey.
About the Department
Ruijin Hospital's pancreatic surgery department is a national key clinical specialty performing hundreds of major pancreatic procedures annually, including one of the highest volumes of pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) in Shanghai. The department operates dedicated pancreatic surgical wards, minimally invasive and robotic surgical theaters, and works in close collaboration with gastroenterology, interventional radiology, oncology, and endocrinology through a dedicated pancreatic disease multidisciplinary team (MDT).
The department's pancreatic MDT meets regularly to review all complex pancreatic cases, ensuring that every patient receives a personalized, evidence-based treatment plan that considers the full range of surgical, endoscopic, interventional, and systemic therapy options. Faculty members publish regularly in leading surgical and GI journals including Annals of Surgery, JAMA Surgery, Gut, and Pancreatology.
Conditions Treated
- Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) — Resectable, borderline resectable, and locally advanced pancreatic cancer; neoadjuvant chemotherapy to enable resection; Whipple procedure and distal pancreatectomy with curative intent
- Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (PNETs) — Functional and non-functional PNETs; enucleation, distal pancreatectomy, and Whipple procedure; somatostatin analogue therapy coordination
- Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm (IPMN) — Main duct, branch duct, and mixed-type IPMN; risk stratification and surgical resection for high-risk features
- Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm (MCN) — Surgical resection for MCN with high-risk features or symptomatic disease
- Serous Cystadenoma — Surveillance and surgical management for symptomatic or enlarging lesions
- Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm (SPN) — Surgical resection with excellent long-term outcomes
- Chronic Pancreatitis — Surgical management of pain, ductal obstruction, and complications; Frey procedure, Beger procedure, and Puestow procedure; total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TP-IAT) for selected cases
- Pancreatic Trauma — Surgical management of pancreatic injuries and post-traumatic complications
- Pancreatic Fistula & Pseudocyst — Endoscopic and surgical management of post-pancreatitis and post-operative pancreatic complications
- Ampullary & Periampullary Tumors — Ampullary adenoma and carcinoma; duodenal tumors; Whipple procedure
- Insulinoma & Other Functional PNETs — Biochemical diagnosis, localization, and surgical resection; medical management for unresectable disease
Leading Specialist
Prof. Shen Baiyong (沈柏用) — Director, Pancreatic Surgery
Prof. Shen Baiyong is one of China's most distinguished pancreatic surgeons and a nationally recognized authority in pancreatic cancer surgery, minimally invasive pancreatic surgery, and the multidisciplinary management of pancreatic diseases. As Director of the Department of Pancreatic Surgery at Ruijin Hospital, he leads one of China's most active and technically advanced pancreatic surgical programs.
Prof. Shen is particularly recognized for his expertise in the surgical management of pancreatic cancer, including complex resections involving major vascular structures (portal vein, superior mesenteric vein/artery), conversion surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for borderline resectable and locally advanced disease, and the integration of surgical resection with perioperative systemic therapy in a multidisciplinary framework. His program has been at the forefront of minimally invasive pancreatic surgery in China, performing laparoscopic and robotic Whipple procedures and distal pancreatectomies with outcomes comparable to open surgery.
Prof. Shen has also been a leader in the development of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols for pancreatic surgery in China, significantly reducing post-operative complications and hospital stay for patients undergoing major pancreatic resections. His research has been published in leading surgical journals including Annals of Surgery, JAMA Surgery, and British Journal of Surgery.
Surgical Procedures
Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple Procedure)
The Whipple procedure is the most complex and technically demanding operation in abdominal surgery, and Ruijin Hospital's pancreatic surgery department is one of the highest-volume Whipple centers in Shanghai. The department performs both the classic Whipple (with partial gastrectomy) and the pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD), with the choice determined by tumor location and extent. Vascular resection and reconstruction of the portal vein and superior mesenteric vein is performed routinely for tumors with venous involvement, extending the boundaries of resectability for patients who would otherwise be deemed inoperable.
Distal Pancreatectomy
Distal pancreatectomy with or without splenectomy is performed for tumors of the body and tail of the pancreas. The department offers both open and minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) distal pancreatectomy, with spleen-preserving techniques (Warshaw and Kimura procedures) used where oncologically appropriate to preserve immune function.
Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Surgery
- Laparoscopic Whipple Procedure — Fully laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy for selected patients, offering reduced blood loss and faster recovery
- Robotic Whipple Procedure — da Vinci robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy for enhanced precision in the complex reconstruction phase
- Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatectomy — Standard of care for body and tail pancreatic tumors at Ruijin
- Robotic Distal Pancreatectomy — For tumors requiring spleen preservation or in difficult anatomical locations
- Laparoscopic Enucleation — Parenchyma-sparing resection for small benign or low-grade tumors
Total Pancreatectomy & TP-IAT
Total pancreatectomy is performed for multifocal disease, main duct IPMN involving the entire pancreas, or chronic pancreatitis refractory to other surgical approaches. For selected patients with chronic pancreatitis undergoing total pancreatectomy, islet autotransplantation (TP-IAT) is offered to preserve insulin secretory capacity and prevent or mitigate post-operative diabetes — a technically demanding procedure available at only a limited number of centers in China.
Neoadjuvant & Conversion Therapy
For patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced pancreatic cancer, Ruijin's pancreatic MDT develops individualized neoadjuvant or conversion therapy strategies to maximize the chance of achieving curative resection:
- FOLFIRINOX — Intensive combination chemotherapy for fit patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced PDAC
- Gemcitabine + nab-Paclitaxel — For patients not suitable for FOLFIRINOX
- PARP Inhibitors — Olaparib maintenance for BRCA-mutated pancreatic cancer after platinum-based chemotherapy
- Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) — Radiation consolidation for locally advanced disease in collaboration with radiation oncology
- Restaging & Surgical Assessment — Regular CT/MRI restaging after neoadjuvant therapy to assess resectability and plan surgical approach
ERAS Protocol for Pancreatic Surgery
Ruijin's pancreatic surgery department follows a comprehensive ERAS protocol for all major pancreatic procedures, incorporating:
- Pre-operative nutritional optimization and carbohydrate loading
- Minimally invasive surgical approaches where feasible
- Epidural or regional analgesia for post-operative pain management
- Early removal of drains and nasogastric tubes
- Early oral feeding and mobilization
- Prophylactic octreotide for pancreatic fistula prevention
Why International Patients Choose Ruijin Pancreatic Surgery
- High-Volume Expertise — One of Shanghai's highest-volume Whipple centers with outcomes benchmarked against international standards
- Minimally Invasive Leadership — Laparoscopic and robotic Whipple and distal pancreatectomy as routine offerings
- Vascular Resection Capability — Portal vein and SMV resection and reconstruction extending resectability for locally advanced tumors
- TP-IAT Program — Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation for chronic pancreatitis — available at only a limited number of centers in China
- Neoadjuvant Expertise — Multidisciplinary conversion therapy program to enable resection of initially unresectable disease
- Cost-Effectiveness — World-class pancreatic surgery at significantly lower cost than equivalent care in Western countries
The CMCS Patient Journey
- Initial Inquiry — Share your diagnosis, CT/MRI scans, pathology reports, tumor markers (CA19-9, CEA), and prior treatment history with CMCS.
- Medical Record Preparation — We translate and organize your records for specialist pre-consultation review.
- Specialist Matching — We identify the most appropriate pancreatic surgeon based on your specific condition.
- MDT Submission — Where appropriate, we facilitate pre-arrival case review by Ruijin's pancreatic MDT.
- Priority Scheduling — We secure a consultation and surgical slot with minimal waiting time.
- Travel & Logistics — Assistance with visa invitation letters, accommodation near Ruijin Hospital, and Shanghai airport transfers.
- Surgical Admission Support — Full coordination of pre-operative assessment, neoadjuvant therapy scheduling if required, admission, and inpatient care.
- Post-Operative Follow-Up — Pathology report translation, molecular profiling result interpretation, and remote follow-up after you return home.
Book a Consultation
If you are seeking expert pancreatic surgical care in Shanghai — whether for pancreatic cancer, cystic tumors, neuroendocrine tumors, chronic pancreatitis, or a complex pancreatic condition — CMCS can arrange a specialist consultation with Ruijin Hospital's pancreatic surgery team.
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