After Five Unsuccessful Surgeries in the U.S., Tom Seeks Treatment at Shanghai's Longhua Hospital
China Health Trip brings you real-life stories of patients who experienced world-class medical care in China. Explore the case below for more inspiration.
Patient’s Experience
“This time, it’s finally cured.” Tom (a pseudonym), who specially flew from the United States to Shanghai for treatment in October 2024, recalls his previous treatments with lingering unease. “I had five surgeries, and not only did they cause pain, but they didn’t solve the problem. I had psychological scars.” The problem that troubled Tom was complex anal fistula. According to the first Shanghai Anorectal Surgery Physicians Forum, the incidence of anorectal diseases has been rising every year. For this common ailment, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s affiliated Longhua Hospital has a unique intangible cultural heritage technique that is attracting more and more foreign patients to travel to Shanghai for treatment.
Tom, a member of the post-80s generation, has lived in the U.S. for over a decade. Previously, he had undergone five surgeries in the U.S. for his complex anal fistula. “Rectal mucosal flap advancement surgery” and “perianal abscess drainage” were just some of the medical terms that still brought back painful memories. Upon recommendation from friends and family, Tom bought a plane ticket in October and flew to Shanghai specifically to seek treatment at Longhua Hospital. Now, over a month later, after receiving a combination of Chinese and Western medicine treatments tailored to his case, he has successfully recovered.
Introducing Shanghai’s intangible cultural heritage Expertise
The medical team at Longhua Hospital that treated Tom is part of the “Gu’s Anorectal Surgery” team, a hidden gem of Shanghai’s intangible cultural heritage medical techniques. The “threading therapy” that Tom used for his complex anal fistula has been recognized as an appropriate technique for promotion by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This technique was created by Dr. Lu Jingen, one of the fourth-generation inheritors of the “Gu’s Anorectal Surgery” method, a national intangible cultural heritage project. Dr. Lu is also a renowned expert in Shanghai’s traditional Chinese medicine.
This intangible cultural heritage medical team has built a reputation in the treatment of anal fistulas, blending unique techniques like “threading therapy,” “medicated thread therapy,” and “cotton compression therapy” with internationally advanced methods such as anorectal endoscopy, flap advancement surgery, and laser treatment. These combined treatments have significantly improved the minimally invasive approach to anal fistula therapy.
The team has also conducted extensive clinical and basic research, developing proprietary hospital formulations like the “promote healing granules,” which help shorten wound healing times and reduce the formation of scars after anal fistula surgeries.
Tom’s Treatment Experience
“This type of treatment has never been available to me in the U.S.,” said Tom. His experience at Longhua Hospital was marked by a deep integration of both Chinese and Western medicine, using several unique hospital-made formulations. This innovative approach not only helped address his condition but also improved his overall recovery.
Longhua Hospital’s Achievements in Anorectal Surgery
Longhua Hospital’s Anorectal Department sees over 70,000 outpatient visits annually, with more than 3,000 surgeries for anal fistulas each year. Complex anal fistulas make up approximately 45% of these surgeries. According to Wang Chen, the Director of the Anorectal Department, the department follows a “dual-benefit” treatment philosophy that combines the precision of modern Western medicine with the holistic approach of traditional Chinese medicine.
As international acceptance of Chinese medicine continues to grow, and with increasing patient demand for healthcare, Longhua Hospital is actively promoting its international medical services. Currently, approximately 10% of patients visiting the hospital’s Anorectal Department are foreign patients who specifically seek treatment at Longhua Hospital.
After Five Unsuccessful Surgeries in the U.S., Tom Seeks Treatment at Shanghai's Longhua Hospital
China Health Trip brings you real-life stories of patients who experienced world-class medical care in China. Explore the case below for more inspiration.
Patient’s Experience
“This time, it’s finally cured.” Tom (a pseudonym), who specially flew from the United States to Shanghai for treatment in October 2024, recalls his previous treatments with lingering unease. “I had five surgeries, and not only did they cause pain, but they didn’t solve the problem. I had psychological scars.” The problem that troubled Tom was complex anal fistula. According to the first Shanghai Anorectal Surgery Physicians Forum, the incidence of anorectal diseases has been rising every year. For this common ailment, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s affiliated Longhua Hospital has a unique intangible cultural heritage technique that is attracting more and more foreign patients to travel to Shanghai for treatment.
Tom, a member of the post-80s generation, has lived in the U.S. for over a decade. Previously, he had undergone five surgeries in the U.S. for his complex anal fistula. “Rectal mucosal flap advancement surgery” and “perianal abscess drainage” were just some of the medical terms that still brought back painful memories. Upon recommendation from friends and family, Tom bought a plane ticket in October and flew to Shanghai specifically to seek treatment at Longhua Hospital. Now, over a month later, after receiving a combination of Chinese and Western medicine treatments tailored to his case, he has successfully recovered.
Introducing Shanghai’s intangible cultural heritage Expertise
The medical team at Longhua Hospital that treated Tom is part of the “Gu’s Anorectal Surgery” team, a hidden gem of Shanghai’s intangible cultural heritage medical techniques. The “threading therapy” that Tom used for his complex anal fistula has been recognized as an appropriate technique for promotion by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This technique was created by Dr. Lu Jingen, one of the fourth-generation inheritors of the “Gu’s Anorectal Surgery” method, a national intangible cultural heritage project. Dr. Lu is also a renowned expert in Shanghai’s traditional Chinese medicine.
This intangible cultural heritage medical team has built a reputation in the treatment of anal fistulas, blending unique techniques like “threading therapy,” “medicated thread therapy,” and “cotton compression therapy” with internationally advanced methods such as anorectal endoscopy, flap advancement surgery, and laser treatment. These combined treatments have significantly improved the minimally invasive approach to anal fistula therapy.
The team has also conducted extensive clinical and basic research, developing proprietary hospital formulations like the “promote healing granules,” which help shorten wound healing times and reduce the formation of scars after anal fistula surgeries.
Tom’s Treatment Experience
“This type of treatment has never been available to me in the U.S.,” said Tom. His experience at Longhua Hospital was marked by a deep integration of both Chinese and Western medicine, using several unique hospital-made formulations. This innovative approach not only helped address his condition but also improved his overall recovery.
Longhua Hospital’s Achievements in Anorectal Surgery
Longhua Hospital’s Anorectal Department sees over 70,000 outpatient visits annually, with more than 3,000 surgeries for anal fistulas each year. Complex anal fistulas make up approximately 45% of these surgeries. According to Wang Chen, the Director of the Anorectal Department, the department follows a “dual-benefit” treatment philosophy that combines the precision of modern Western medicine with the holistic approach of traditional Chinese medicine.
As international acceptance of Chinese medicine continues to grow, and with increasing patient demand for healthcare, Longhua Hospital is actively promoting its international medical services. Currently, approximately 10% of patients visiting the hospital’s Anorectal Department are foreign patients who specifically seek treatment at Longhua Hospital.