CNS——Unique Therapy Attracts Expat Patients to Shanghai

City News Service

 2024年12月25日 微信公众号

记者：Cai Wenjun

原文链接

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/2YuhM0iV0lz4jee4UHoUhQ

Shanghai has quietly become a lifeline for international patients, drawn not just by its high-quality medical care or the relatively low cost compared to Western countries, but by something far more compelling: treatments you can't get anywhere else. For some, Shanghai isn't just an option – it's the last resort after repeated failures back home.

These unique therapies blend traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with cutting-edge Western techniques, creating a medical ecosystem that's earned the city a reputation for delivering results where others can't. Local hospitals have shared cases that underscore this, with expat patients finding solutions – and even life-saving care – after arriving in Shanghai.          

Ancient Techniques, Modern Results:The Legacy of Gu's Surgery

The anorectal department at Longhua Hospital has carved out a unique reputation, thanks to its mastery of Gu's Surgery – a technique so distinct it's classified as a national intangible cultural relic. The department specializes in treating complex anal fistulas (infected tunnels between the skin and the anal canal that cause severe discomfort and disruption to daily life).

Using a blend of Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the department handles over 70,000 outpatient visits annually and performs more than 3,000 surgeries for this condition. It's not just locals seeking help – patients travel from across China and even from abroad to access their expertise.

Tom, from the US, came to Shanghai for Treatment

Take Tom Huang, a 35-year-old Chinese American. After enduring five unsuccessful surgeries under general anesthesia in the US within just 10 months, he turned to Longhua Hospital.

"My problem wasn't resolved, and my quality of life was seriously affected," Huang shared. "After learning about Longhua Hospital, I flew to Shanghai. The doctors used a TCM-based approach to guide out the pus (drain the infection) and treated me with herbal medications and cleansing washes. I recovered quickly," he said.

For patients like Huang, Longhua's methods offer something beyond relief: A new lease on life.

Suture Dragging Therapy

Longhua Hospital's doctors have refined Gu's Surgery's Suture Dragging Therapy, an innovative TCM technique that combines tradition with ingenuity. The method uses medicated thread – crafted in-house – to deliver medicine directly to wounds while simultaneously drawing out pus (removing infection). Complemented by self-developed TCM remedies and therapies, this approach significantly speeds up wound healing. It's a method so distinctive it has earned recognition from medical professionals worldwide. The procedure is named after Gu Yunyan, who first developed the procedure back during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Both the therapy and its key material – medicated thread – are classified as national intangible cultural relics. The thread itself is made from mulberry paper, a material steeped in history. Derived from the bark of the mulberry tree, which carries inherent herbal properties, the paper is often referred to as a "living fossil" of China's papermaking heritage. Handmade mulberry paper is shaped into medicated threads in five distinct sizes, tailored for different types of wounds and treatments.

This marriage of craftsmanship and medical expertise makes Suture Dragging Therapy a standout in modern medicine.

A national intangible cultural relic refers to a recognized element of a country's cultural heritage that is intangible in nature, meaning it includes practices, knowledge, skills and traditions passed down through generations rather than physical objects. In China, this designation is part of an effort to preserve and celebrate cultural expressions that are deemed historically or socially significant.

For example, practices like TCM techniques, unique crafts, performing arts, or specific methods like Gu's Surgery's Suture Dragging Therapy can be classified as intangible cultural relics. These designations highlight their cultural, scientific, or historical value and aim to protect them from being lost over time.

Integration of Western and TCM

Dr Wang Chen, director of Longhua Hospital's anorectal department, explained that their approach revolves around integrating the precision of Western medicine with the holistic principles of TCM. "We strive to make full use of both systems to provide the best possible care," he said.

This balanced approach has earned the department an international reputation, with around 10 percent of its patients coming from abroad – many through word-of-mouth referrals.

For patients like Tom Huang, the experience has been transformative. "In the US, I was discharged the same day after treatment, even though my wound wasn't fully healed," he recalled. "I was left to recover at home in pain, with little support."

In Shanghai, Huang's care was markedly different. "The doctors prescribed a combination of therapies – TCM treatments, herbal medicine, acupuncture, futie (herbal plasters applied to specific acupoints) and herbal washes. The nurses also took time to clean and treat my wound, while guiding me on how to care for myself. My recovery was much faster."

Huang is now an advocate for the hospital's approach. "I'll definitely recommend TCM healthcare and the excellent service in Shanghai to my friends back in the US," he said.