Xiao-Ping Chen:the “Master of the Scalpel” who saves lives by entering the forbidden territory of hepatopancreatobiliary surgery

Editorial Office of Oncology and Translational Medicine

In his 50 years of practice,he has performed more than 20,000 hepatopancreatobiliary surgeries,being the first one to propose the concept of the“auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation”internationally.Furthermore,he developed the“Chen's inserting biliary-enteric anastomosis and pancreato-enteric anastomosis,” “Chen's hepatic vascular occlusion,” “Chen's liver double-hanging maneuver,” and“Chen's hepatic vascular occlusion without liver portal dissection.” He also popularized these theories and techniques both in China and worldwide.His name is Xiao-Ping Chen,an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and honorary president of the Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

Xiao-Ping Chen,an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences;expert in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery and organ transplantation; honorary president of the Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology(HUST);director of the Department of Surgery;director of the Institute of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of HUST;director of the Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation of Ministry of Education, National Health Commission, and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences;and chairman of the Expert Committee of the China Human Organ Donation Management Center.

Born in 1953,Chen earned his MD from Tongji Medical College of HUST in 1985.Subsequently,he joined the Department of Surgery,Tongji Hospital,Tongji Medical College of HUST and focused on clinical and research work on hepatopancreatobiliary surgery,making systematic and innovative achievements in the field.

He proposed a new classification of hepatocellular carcinoma and the theory that large hepatocellular carcinoma can be safely resected,developed 3 techniques for controlling hemorrhage in hepatectomy and a method of auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation, proposed the concept of limited hepatectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma, established biliary-enteric anastomosis and its insertion without stitching the anterior wall of the bile ducts, improved the operation procedure of pancreaticoduodenectomy, and developed Chen's pancreaticojejunostomy suture technique.Finally,Chen led the formulation of guidelines for hepatopancreatobiliary surgery. The theories and techniques developed by Chen have reduced hemorrhage in liver surgery by more than half, penetrated the forbidden surgical territory many times, and established experimental and theoretical foundations for the feasibility of liver transplantation between relatives,thus greatly advancing the field's progress and development. To date, these theories and techniques are widely promoted and applied in Chinese hospitals,with remarkable efficacy and widespread recognition by international counterparts.

For his outstanding contributions to this medical specialty,Chen has been awarded the State Science and Technology Progress Award,the National Teaching Achievement Award,the China Medical Science and Technology Award, and the Ho Leung Ho Lee Award for Scientific and Technological Progress.Chen has been honored with the China Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement in the field of hepatopancreatobiliary surgery. In August 2017, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Asia-Pacific Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association. In September 2023, Chen was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the International Hepato-Pancreato Biliary Association.Professor Renzo Dionigi,former rector of the University of Insubria,Italy,wrote an opinion piece in a special issue of Nature describing Chen as “an international figure in surgery of the liver,pancreas,and biliary system”and“a leader of reform and innovation.”

Currently, Dr Chen Xiao-Ping is also the president of the Asia-Pacific Laparoscopic Hepatectomy Promotion and Development Expert Committee,chairman of the Chinese Chapter of International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association, a standing member of the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver,an honorary fellow of the American Surgical Association,a fellow of the American College of Surgeons,a member of the International Surgical Group,and honorary professor of surgery,Faculty of Medicine,University of Insubria,Italy.

Chen has dared to probe the existing theories with a critical eye throughout his academic and professional career,entering the forbidden territory of hepatopancreatobiliary surgery many times by performing more than 20,000 procedures in the field.As a Chinese scientist,his original surgical methods have become well-known worldwide,and his research findings have benefited millions of patients.In addition,Chen is committed to actively cultivating high-quality medical talent,enthusiastic about social welfare and health promotion,and full of humanistic care for patients.Chen says,“We are not only given a disease to treat,but a person to heal.”Every step in his career has been paved with ideas about treating disease and a focus on life.As always,he is steadfast in his original goal:“to be a good doctor.”