The Surgeon's Studio c1-799

by Black Ursa Prime

  "The patient is a young female model who is participating in the New Idea Model Contest in our city." Cen Meng's voice sounded deep and coherent as if he had rehearsed this case previously. "Since our city values the contest very much, Secretary-General Chen gave Chief Surgeon Liu a phone call and requested that she receive treatment in Sea City General Hospital.

  "The patient had undergone three days of conservative treatment but the effect wasn't obvious. Secretary-General Chen mentioned that she is the seeded player in this year's contest. If surgery is required, the wound has to be very small and she needs to recover as soon as possible so that she can enter the final three days later."

  The patient's brief summary of her condition and various investigative reports were projected on the screen at the same time.

  Chief Surgeon Liu continued, "Provisional diagnosis is uncomplicated acute appendicitis. There shouldn't be any mistakes about it. Everything is in line with Little Zheng's terms—simple acute appendicitis but a woundless appendectomy. That's the instruction from the city's management team and I've been racking my brain thinking about how to handle it as well."

  Chief Surgeon Liu's emotions had stabilized and his initial despair had disappeared into thin air after making that speech. Then, he redirected the focus on Zheng Ren's joke.

  "My initial plan was to let Little Zheng handle this case since he is highly skilled in this field, and judging by the patient's condition, the conservative treatment has had a limited effect because there are signs of perforation." A smile formed on Chief Surgeon Liu's face. "It's fortunate that Little Zheng knows how to perform the surgery without leaving any scars because that's exactly what Secretary-General Chen wants."

  An eerie silence reigned in the surgical demonstration classroom.

  The New Idea Model Contest was considered one of the distinguishing features of Sea City, and the city was very supportive of every event related to the contest.

  Moreover, the patient was actually a seeded player who was going to wear a bikini for on-stage performances. If the surgical wound was big or even noticeable, it would be unsightly and may even cost her the contest which was precisely the reason behind Secretary-General Chen's instructions.

  A mere compliment may be given for a job well done, but failure to complete the designated task… Well, one had better be prepared to feel Secretary-General Chen's wrath.

  It was not just a simple dispute based on personal grudges. Instead, Chief Surgeon Liu wanted Zheng Ren to get caught in a dilemma and let him burn in a furnace.

  "Chief Surgeon Liu, I don't think it's a good idea." The chief of the medical administration division's expression was cold and emotionless. "I don't agree with your proposal."

  The chief of the medical administration division had contacted the patient previously and knew exactly how high Secretary-General Chen's expectations were for her. It was better not to hope for great accomplishments but for no mistakes with this patient.

  'This Chief Surgeon Liu dared to include such an important patient in his dispute. It seems like I've to teach him a lesson some other time. Otherwise, he won't know his place at all,' the chief of the medical administration division thought.

  "Well, he said he can perform it without making an incision, so what do you say, Little Zheng?" asked Chief Surgeon Liu with a smile.

  He was not expecting Zheng Ren to be extremely stupid and accept this special acute appendicitis case, anyway.

  It was nonsense and Zheng Ren had clearly been making a joke last time. He just happened to seize that opportunity and used it to make matters worse so that he could retaliate and earn himself a fighting chance.

  This tactic was called fishing in troubled waters.

  It would be easier to settle subsequent issues once Zheng Ren flinched and backed off.

  Chief Surgeon Liu tried to pressure Zheng Ren further by staring intensely at him.

  "A woundless appendectomy seems justified since the patient's condition looks straightforward and uncomplicated, but I can make my decision only after I've seen the patient myself," replied Zheng Ren confidently.

  "..."

  Everyone in the surgical demonstration classroom was flabbergasted.

  Was he wishing for death?!

  Chapter 32 - Sudden Mission: The Soldier Dies For His Comrade

  "Little Zheng!" Old Chief Physician Pan roared at the top of his lungs to stop Zheng Ren from continuing such a bold move. Otherwise, people would die.

  That was embarrassing! Zheng Ren had no sense of priorities at all!

  Even Chief Surgeon Liu was dumbstruck as well. He stared at Zheng Ren with wide eyes and had absolutely no idea what he had up his sleeve. Zheng Ren was not an idiot, that was beyond question. He performed forty-nine appendectomies within twenty-four hours and each of them had been done perfectly. Not even Chief Surgeon Liu, who was a senior general surgeon, code-named Sea City Supreme Scalpel, could find a single flaw in them.

  Could he have performed such a magnificent feat if he was an idiot?

  However, Zheng Ren's confidence shook Chief Surgeon Liu's beliefs instantly.

  Honestly, that was impossible, right? There was no such surgery as a woundless appendectomy.

  Zheng Ren walked toward the projector screen and started explaining the surgical technique to the crowd while Chief Surgeon Liu was still immersed in his own train of thought.

  "Everyone should have some understanding about an ESD procedure, right?"

  ESD, also known as endoscopic submucosal dissection, was a recent advancement in endoscopic surgery. The endoscopy unit in Sea City General Hospital was prepared to develop this technology but necessary arrangements had to be made before it was successful.

  The chief of the medical administration division had heard about this new technology, but the senior consultants—Old Chief Physician Pan and Chief Surgeon Liu—were unfamiliar with it due to infrequent exposure to technological advancements.

  "Let me make a brief introduction. An ESD procedure is a new surgical technique that uses an endoscope to dissect the pathological submucosal layer for treatment purposes. In the year 2010, an endoscopic transrectal appendectomy was performed in the endoscopy unit at Harbin Medical University Affiliated Second Hospital. Even though this surgical technique hasn't been carried out nationwide, cases are often reported. In fact, hundreds of successful operations using this technique have been recorded and we're not actually touching this domain for the first time," explained Zheng Ren confidently.

  The chief of the medical administration division gave this some thought and continued listening to Zheng Ren calmly.

  "Since the patient has special demands and her conditions seem uncomplicated, I think an endoscopic transrectal appendectomy is justified." Zheng Ren's words were firm and confident, but Old Chief Physician Pan shook his head repeatedly because he preferred not to take such a great risk.

  "Can I take a look at the patient first? I won't know if she is fit for this operation if I don't see the patient myself. Also, hospital management will decide whether I should be the surgeon in this case," said Zheng Ren.

  The chief of the medical administration division pondered for a while and nodded. "The patient is in special demands ward 3-2. Old Chief Physician Pan, go and have a look at the patient with Zheng Ren. I'll ask for Secretary-General Chen's opinion in the meantime."

  …

  …

  After Zheng Ren and Old Chief Physician Pan left the surgical demonstration classroom, Old Chief Physician Pan complained, "Little Zheng, you were too impulsive. Are you emotionally unstable due to exhaustion?"

  "No," replied Zheng Ren with a grin. Even though he was trying to express his optimism, he was haggard, especially with his hair deformed by compression from the sterile surgical cap after a whole night of surgeries.

  "It's my fault." Instead of accusing Zheng Ren, Old Chief Physician Pan started introspecting. "I didn't expect Liu Tianxing to be so shameless. Don't worry, I'll make him pay for what he did to
you within a month. We'll admit defeat this time, alright?"

  "Chief Physician Pan, that isn't necessary," answered Zheng Ren.

  "Huh?"

  "I'm highly skilled in performing endoscopic transrectal appendectomy, and it isn't riskier than performing an open appendectomy, so the chances of success are actually very high," Zheng Ren continued bragging about his expertise without an ounce of embarrassment.

  "You must be joking. Where did you learn it when Sea City General Hospital hasn't even developed this technology yet?" Old Chief Physician Pan remained doubtful.

  "Innate talent plays an important role in surgery too. I've never performed a pancreaticoduodenectomy in my life, but I did it after Professor Moriyu ran away, right?" replied Zheng Ren.

  This example was convincing. Old Chief Physician Pan turned quiet immediately and did not pursue the matter.

  However, he did not support Zheng Ren's decision either. He merely lowered his head and quietly contemplated the situation that lay before them.

  They walked toward the special demands ward in silence and reached sick room number two, located on the third floor.

  After knocking on the door, Zheng Ren entered the room and saw a woman, at least 180 centimeters tall, lying on the sickbed. It was a safe assumption as her feet were hanging off the sickbed, which had a standard length of 180 centimeters…

  That height… Tut-tut… Zheng Ren savored the thought for a while before carefully reading the patient's condition on the upper right corner of his vision.

  It was a simple acute appendicitis case. Three days of conservative treatment were ineffective and the inflamed appendix was on the brink of perforation. According to the timeframe provided by the System, the appendix would perforate within three hours.

  The patient's assistant stood up and received Zheng Ren and Old Chief Physician Pan immediately. Despite her condition, the patient was courteous enough to greet them as well.

  Even though her eyebrows were furrowed in pain, she looked exceptionally gorgeous and obviously had had a good upbringing too.

  In order not to make their visit appear abrupt, Zheng Ren performed a physical examination on the patient first before leaving the sick room with Old Chief Physician Pan.

  "How is she?" asked Old Chief Physician Pan.

  "The appendix will perforate in three hours. If she is going for surgery, we've to do it now," said Zheng Ren confidently.

  In Old Chief Physician Pan's opinion, his explanation seemed exaggerated.

  An expert among experts could diagnose an impending perforation in an inflamed appendix, but Zheng Ren could provide a countdown? That was absurd.

  However, Old Chief Physician Pan made no attempt to challenge Zheng Ren's judgment. No matter what he said, Zheng Ren would shut him up by saying, "Look, Professor Moriyu ran away from the pancreaticoduodenectomy last time, but I did it."

  That example made his judgment irrefutable.

  "Are you sure?" asked Old Chief Physician Pan.

  "Yes."

  "How sure are you?"

  "Very."

  Old Chief Physician Pan came to a halt and stared at Zheng Ren seriously. His gaze was bright and piercing as if he was going to drink a farewell shot before going to the battlefield.

  Zheng Ren stopped at the same time but felt uneasy and had no idea where to place his limbs under Old Chief Physician Pan's intense stare.

  This elderly man was a war veteran. Rumors claimed that during the war in Southern Xinjiang, Old Chief Physician Pan had avenged his fallen comrades by going on a killing spree with a submachine gun.

  There was no way Zheng Ren could resist the murderous aura emitted from Old Chief Physician Pan's soul.

  "I trust you. Let's prepare for the surgery," said Old Chief Physician Pan heavily before he took out his cell phone and started making phone calls.

  The statement "I trust you" weighed a ton and set his heart on fire.

  Suddenly, the robotic female voice appeared in his ears like a ghost and a translucent screen with a new mission on it emerged before him.

  [Sudden Mission: The Soldier Dies For His Comrade.

  [Task: Live up to the senior chief physician's expectations by completing an endoscopic transrectal appendectomy.

  [Reward: 30 skill points and 300 experience points.

  [Time: 5 hours.]

  Er… Zheng Ren was taken by surprise.

  In all honesty, Zheng Ren had seen through Chief Surgeon Liu's little trick but knew that it was unlikely for him to perform the surgery himself too.

  However, he had not expected Old Chief Physician Pan's trust to actually trigger the System into assigning a new mission to him. Now he had no choice but to handle it personally.

  Zheng Ren knew that he had to perform this surgery himself.

  Everything else aside, the mission being called "The Soldier Dies For His Comrade" alone was more than enough for him to do it.

  Otherwise, he would feel sorry for the fire burning inside his heart.

  Old Chief Physician Pan returned momentarily. "Little Zheng, I gave the city management a phone call just now and a warrant for this surgery has been issued. Success is compulsory. Failure is not an option."

  "Chief Physician Pan, don't worry. I'll succeed in performing this surgery." Zheng Ren tightened his fists and made a promise.

  Zheng Ren had experimented on various creative ideas—including an endoscopic transrectal appendectomy—during the intensive training last time.

  Even though he had never used this technology in reality, he had performed at least one hundred endoscopic transrectal appendectomies in the System.

  Thus, he was essentially the country's most qualified surgeon in performing an appendectomy with an endoscope.

  That was the reason for his confidence.

  Chapter 33 - Equipment Purchase in The System

  After making several phone calls in a row and arranging everything accordingly, Old Chief Physician Pan spoke to Zheng Ren with a serious expression, "Go to the endoscopic unit and search for Chief Surgeon Shi. Check if there are any missing instruments and try to allocate them if possible. If you can't, we don't have a choice either. I'll wait for you in the office, so give me a phone call as soon as the surgery is a go."

  A soldier always carried out his tasks swiftly. Zheng Ren understood Old Chief Physician Pan's instructions and knew that he was willing to wait in the office just to save some time.

  Like a soldier hiding within enemy lines, Old Chief Physician Pan was waiting for an order to launch a surprise attack.

  Zheng Ren nodded in silence.

  Verbal responses were pointless. The only thing Zheng Ren could do to repay him was to complete the surgery without making any mistakes.

  Zheng Ren quickened his pace to the third inpatient department and finally reached the endoscopy unit at a trot.

  Chief Surgeon Shi suppressed his surprise and cooperatively asked what equipment Zheng Ren needed.

  Since the Sea City General Hospital endoscopy unit was going to invite a professor from Imperial Capital to perform an ESD procedure in the near future, all the preparations had basically been completed in advance.

  Basic instruments—hook knife, injector, dissecting forceps, endoscopic electric knife—were available, but the most important instrument required to resect the inflamed appendix—the endoclip—was missing.

  Chief Surgeon Shi had no need for an endoclip since he had merely wanted to perform submucosal dissection.

  Gritting his teeth tightly, Zheng Ren left the room by making an excuse of going to the washroom and went to a deserted, quiet location before entering the System.

  He went to the Shop and started searching for ESD-related instruments.

  Zheng Ren's heart shattered immediately when he saw the price tag—16000 experience points—below the full set of ESD equipment. That was too expensive and currently way beyond his affordability.

  Helpless and dejected, a light bulb suddenly went off in his head. Maybe he
could purchase the instrument separately.

  He then clicked on the endoclip and was delighted to find out that he actually could!

  However, Zheng Ren had mixed feelings when he noticed the price tag—2200 experience points—under the endoclip.

  He was happy as he would be able to proceed with the surgery with the missing instrument located.

  A sense of loss gnawed at him at the same time, too. He had been poor since childhood and spending almost all his "savings" to purchase a surgical instrument directly was a huge deal to him. In fact, he almost had a myocardial infarction when he thought about it.

  He had no choice but to spend the money to repay Old Chief Physician Pan's trust.

  Enduring the intermittent heartache, Zheng Ren clicked "Purchase" and watched his savings instantly change from the 2332 to 132 experience points. Damn… he was as poor as a church mouse now.

  After the purchase, an endoclip simply appeared in his hands, and the nickel-titanium alloy gave him the illusion that it was worth a king's ransom.

  How should he take it back to reality? The confused Zheng Ren asked the System loudly and as expected, there was no response from the cold, insensible System.

  Perhaps he should give it a try and head back to reality. Grasping the endoclip firmly like a drowning man clutching at a straw, Zheng Ren summoned his mind back to the real world.

  Zheng Ren felt something hard and cold in his hands the moment he opened his eyes.

  Good. He could bring any instrument he purchased in the System back to reality.

  Chief Surgeon Shi was stunned when he noticed Zheng Ren return with the endoclip and asked out of curiosity, "Little Zheng, do you have friends working in a medical device company? Johnson & Johnson or Philips?"

  Domestic manufacturers had not started producing this sort of medical instrument yet due to limited applications within the country and the lack of considerable profit. Thus, international companies, with Johnson & Johnson leading the market, would produce them and import them to China.

  Medical sales representatives would never discuss this sort of advanced medical instrument with Zheng Ren, who was presumably a junior doctor judging by his age. Even chief residents were not qualified to initiate discussions with sales representatives on this issue.