Zhongshan Hospital Kidney Transplantation Department
Affiliated with Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital stands as one of China’s earliest institutions to perform organ transplantation and remains one of the few comprehensive hospitals holding accreditations for heart, liver, kidney, and pancreas transplants. Zhongshan Hospital Kidney Transplantation Department, recognized as a national leader in its field, has achieved groundbreaking milestones in xenotransplantation research since the 1970s. Not only did the hospital successfully conduct China’s first long-surviving cadaveric kidney transplant, but it also pioneered living-related donor kidney transplantation, granting renewed life to countless patients.
Over the past two decades, under Professor Zhu Tongyu’s direction, the department has attained nationally leading levels in surgical success rates, graft survival rates, and long-term patient outcomes. The team has implemented numerous innovations in transplant technology, aligning China’s practices with international standards.
Furthermore, Zhongshan Hospital Kidney Transplantation Department maintains a comprehensive transplant follow-up system. As a certified member of both the Chinese Renal Transplant Management Committee and Shanghai Renal Transplant Quality Control Center, it focuses on enhancing long-term patient management and quality of life for transplant recipients. Supported by Shanghai’s Organ Transplant Discipline Development Program, the department has led numerous national and municipal research initiatives, including projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation and the 211 Phase III Key Discipline Development Program, continuously advancing the field of organ transplantation.
Through its exceptional clinical expertise, extensive academic heritage, and innovative research capabilities Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University delivers world-class medical services to both domestic and international patients.
Conducted the first allogeneic kidney transplantation, with the patient surviving 45 days.
Building upon pioneering research in experimental animal kidney transplantation during the 1950s-1960s, the hospital performed China’s first allogeneic kidney transplantation in January 1970 (patient survival: 45 days), establishing itself as one of the earliest institutions in China to perform allogeneic kidney transplantation.
Successfully completed China’s first long-term surviving allogeneic kidney transplantation, with the patient surviving 9 years.
1974: Under the leadership of Professor Xiong Rucheng (a founding figure of Chinese urology), successfully completed China’s first long-term surviving allogeneic kidney transplantation, with the patient surviving 9 years.
Achieved the longest surviving kidney transplantation case in China at the time.
14 July 1975: Performed a cadaveric kidney transplantation on a patient with chronic glomerulonephritis-induced uremia. After overcoming multiple rejection episodes and complications, the patient survived over 9 years, marking the longest documented kidney transplantation survival in China at the time.
In 1977, due to his outstanding contribution in the field of kidney transplantation, he won the Shanghai Major Scientific and Technological Achievement Award.
Edited the first monograph on organ transplantation “Kidney Transplantation” in my country
In August 1983, the first monograph on organ transplantation “Kidney Transplantation” was published in my country (published by People’s Health Press)
Professor Xiong Rucheng holds kidney transplantation learning classes
In 1985, Professor Xiong Rucheng held a class of kidney transplantation.
Successfully completed the first 8 -year -old children’s kidney transplantation
In 1991, the first 8 -year -old children’s kidney transplantation was successfully completed.
Complete kidney transplantation of 77 -year -old patients
In 2002, the kidney transplantation of 77 -year -old patients was completed.
Implemented hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, awarded the Third Prize of Shanghai Clinical Medical Achievement Award in 2005.
2004: Leveraging mature laparoscopic technology, introduced hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. This technique addressed the limitations of open living donor nephrectomy, offering advantages including smaller incisions, reduced pain, faster recovery, and enhanced technical safety. It rapidly gained widespread acceptance among donors and surgeons. This innovation pioneered the integrated development of minimally invasive surgery and kidney transplantation in China. Due to outstanding achievements in living donor kidney procurement, principal researchers Wang Guomin and Sun Li’an received the Third Prize of Shanghai Clinical Medical Achievement Award in 2005.
2004: Completed the “Donating a Kidney to Save My Mother” transplantation, with the donor receiving the Touching China Person of the Year Award.
2004: Completed the “Donating a Kidney to Save My Mother” transplantation, with the donor receiving the Touching China Person of the Year Award.
Professor Zhu Tongyu developed mini-incision living donor nephrectomy for financially disadvantaged familial kidney transplantation patients, receiving unanimous praise from donors and their families.
2005: Professor Zhu Tongyu further developed mini-incision living donor nephrectomy for financially constrained familial kidney transplantation patients, earning high satisfaction from donors and their families.
The live broadcast of the charity surgery on site is organized by Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University
2006: During the charity event Blue Sky of Love – 24-Hour Charity Broadcast co-organized by Shanghai Charity Foundation, Shanghai Spiritual Civilization Office, and Shanghai Media Group, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital performed a live televised kidney transplantation for the mother of Liu Ting, a college student known for “carrying his mother to university”.
The 100th relative kidney transplantation of Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University has achieved complete success
2008: The 100th living-related kidney transplantation at Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital achieved complete success. The hospital concurrently released its promotional film My Life, Your Love highlighting living-related transplantation.
Initiated the establishment of the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation at Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital.
Successfully rescued China’s first pediatric patient with Denys-Drash syndrome through kidney transplantation.
2009: Completed China’s first living-related kidney transplantation for a pediatric Denys-Drash syndrome patient, with the donor being the child’s mother.
The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation successfully passed accreditation.
October 2011: The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation passed official accreditation and commenced operations, with Professor Zhu Tongyu serving as its inaugural director.
The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation was designated a Shanghai Excellence Laboratory.
The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation passed accreditation and was officially inaugurated, with Professor Zhu Tongyu appointed as its first director.
The kidney transplantation team accomplished Shanghai’s inaugural transplantation using a kidney from a donor with renal cell carcinoma.
2016: The kidney transplantation team successfully performed Shanghai’s first living donor transplantation using a kidney with small renal cell carcinoma (donor: the recipient’s mother).
The kidney transplantation team completed Shanghai’s first ABO blood type-incompatible living donor kidney transplantation.
Granted National Key Specialty status in organ transplantation.
2016: Accredited as a National Key Specialty in organ transplantation.
The kidney transplantation team performed Shanghai’s first living donor kidney transplantation for an HIV-positive uremic patient.
Became the host institution of the Shanghai Kidney Transplantation Quality Control Center.
2021: Designated as the host institution of the Shanghai Kidney Transplantation Quality Control Center.
Professor Zhu Tongyu led the kidney transplantation team to establish the Department of Kidney Transplantation.
1950s-1960s: Pioneered experimental animal renal transplantation research.
January 1970: Performed China’s first allogeneic kidney transplant; the recipient survived 45 days, establishing the hospital as a national pioneer in human allograft transplantation.
1974: Led by Professor Xiong Rucheng, achieved China’s first long-term successful cadaveric kidney transplant with 9-year recipient survival.
14 July 1975: Conducted a cadaveric kidney transplant on a chronic glomerulonephritis-induced uremia patient; the 9+ year survival set a national longevity record at the time.
2004: Introduced hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, earning the Shanghai Clinical Medical Achievement Award.
2005: Developed minimally invasive living donor nephrectomy for financially constrained families.
2008: Completed the 100th living-related kidney transplant; documentary The Gift of Life premiered concurrently.
2016: Executed Shanghai’s first：
Transplant using a kidney from a donor with renal cell carcinoma.
ABO-incompatible living donor transplant.
6 May 2024: Professor Zhu Tongyu established the dedicated Kidney Transplant Division.
Honors & Recognition：
1977: Awarded Shanghai Major Scientific & Technological Achievement Award for transplant breakthroughs.
2021: Designated Shanghai Renal Transplant Quality Control Center Hub.
Landmark Cases：
1991: Performed China’s first pediatric kidney transplant (8-year-old recipient).
2002: Achieved successful transplant in a 77-year-old patient (senior age record).
2004: “Donating a Kidney to Save My Mother” campaign donor received Touching China Annual Figure Award.
2006:
Televised live kidney transplant for Liu Ting’s mother (student who “carried his mother to university”) during Blue Sky of Love charity broadcast.
Conducted China’s first fourth renal transplant on Wang Qinjun (solitary kidney congenital anomaly + end-stage renal failure).
2009: Completed China’s first pediatric Denys-Drash syndrome-related transplant, overcoming congenital malformation challenges.
2020: Performed Shanghai’s first HIV-positive uremic patient transplant (living donor).
Academic Contributions & Education:
August 1983: Published China’s inaugural organ transplantation monograph Kidney Transplantation.
1985: Professor Xiong launched China’s first professional kidney transplant training program, advancing nationwide standardization.
2009: Founded Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation.
2011: Laboratory accredited with Professor Zhu as founding director.
2013: Recognized as Shanghai Excellence Laboratory.
2024: Hosted Asian Transplant Symposium (TSS); Professor Zhu served as Congress President.