Dr. Sun Chengyan: The Pioneer of FSPR Surgery in China
The Surgeon Who Transformed Cerebral Palsy Treatment in China
Dr. Sun Chengyan is the founder and chief neurosurgeon of Eber Neurosurgery, and the pioneer of FSPR (Functional Selective Posterior Rhizotomy) surgery in China.
With over 30,000 cerebral palsy-related surgeries performed, 20+ years of dedicated practice, and a career spanning Huashan Hospital (Fudan University) to founding the Eber Doctor Group, Dr. Sun has transformed the landscape of functional neurosurgery in China.
His work has given countless children with cerebral palsy the chance to walk and live more independently.
Table of Contents
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Early Career and Medical Background
Dr. Sun Chengyan earned his medical degree and completed his clinical medicine postdoctoral training, joining the Department of Neurosurgery at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, in 2002. Huashan Hospital is one of China's most prestigious neurosurgery centers, consistently ranked among the top three in the country.
At Huashan, Dr. Sun recognized a critical gap: despite the hospital's excellence in neurosurgery, there was no dedicated program for cerebral palsy and functional surgery. He set out to fill that gap, establishing the cerebral palsy surgical treatment program and becoming one of the first surgeons in China to develop and perform FSPR surgery.
The Huashan Years: Establishing FSPR in China
Joins Huashan Hospital
Establishes cerebral palsy surgical treatment program, filling a critical gap in treatment of CP and spasticity
Develops FSPR Technique
Introduces selective rhizotomy for cerebral palsy, refining multi-root intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring to enhance precision
Establishes "Gold Standard"
Publishes the first Chinese clinical guide for selective posterior surgical indications, which is adopted as the gold standard in China
Asia's First EC-IC For Paraplegia
Performs Asia's first selective dorsal rhizotomy for a paraplegia patient, who regains significant motor function and can ride a bicycle independently
Founds Eber Doctor Group
Leaves Huashan to establish Eber Doctor Group, with Shanghai Eber Hospital as the first private medical service provider
30,000+ Surgeries Milestone
Celebrates 30,000+ cerebral palsy-related surgical volume across 2,000 cases, three-city campuses
Technical Contributions and Innovation
Dr. Sun's most significant contribution is the development and refinement of FSPR surgery. Building on the international SDR (Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy) technique, Dr. Sun added multi-level intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, stimulating each nerve root and measuring EMG responses to precisely identify which fibers cause abnormal spasticity.
This functional approach (hence "Functional" Selective Posterior Rhizotomy) allows only the abnormal fibers to be selectively cut, preserving normal nerve function. He also proposed the concept of perioperative rehabilitation—integrating surgery with systematic rehabilitation before, during, and after the procedure—now known as Eber's Five-in-One model.
International Recognition and Academic Roles
- PhD Supervisor, University of Auckland, New ZealandCommonwealth academic system recognition
- Standing Committee Member, Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pediatric Rehabilitation Committee (Surgery Group)
- National Natural Science Foundation project recipient
- 6+ academic papers published in peer-reviewed journals (complete list being compiled)
- Frequent speaker at national and international neurosurgery and rehabilitation conferences
- Interviewed by Xinhua News Agency and other major Chinese media outlets
- Treated patients from over 10 countries including Russia, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Belgium
Awards and Honors
| Award | Issuing Body | Year | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huashan Top Doctor Award | Huashan Hospital, Fudan University | 2015 | Top 10 doctors in neurosurgery at China's top hospital |
| China Charity Outstanding Contribution Award | China Charity Federation | — | Recognition for charitable work with CP children |
| Chief Expert, Functional Neurosurgery | Eber Neurosurgery | 2016 | Leadership role at Eber Doctor Group |
| PhD Supervisor | University of Auckland | — | International academic recognition |
Surgical Philosophy
“The key is precision. In FSPR surgery, we use spinal nerve stimulation and EMG monitoring to highly selectively cut only the Type Ia fibers that cause spasticity—preserving normal nerve function while eliminating abnormal muscle tone. Every child deserves the chance to walk, and our job is to make that chance as safe and effective as possible.”
“Unlike Western medicine, where surgery is often the last resort, we believe surgery is not the end of treatment—it’s the beginning of recovery. The philosophy is embedded in Eber’s Five-in-One model, which ensures no patient falls through the gap between surgery and rehabilitation. For international patients, Dr. Sun personally reviews each case during the 48-hour expert evaluation process.”
Frequently Asked Questions
A:Dr. Sun leads the surgical team and personally performs or directly supervises all FSPR procedures.
A:Yes, video consultations can be arranged. Please contact us for details.
A:Academic papers and presentations are being compiled. We can provide a list.
A:Dr. Sun personally reviews each case during the 48-hour expert evaluation process.
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Medical Review by Sun Chengyan, MD, PhD — Chief Neurosurgeon, Shanghai Eber Hospital
Last Updated: September 2026 | Content reviewed for medical accuracy