"You should have told me earlier and sent your father here; the success rate of the surgery will be at least 30 percent higher. This sort of surgery requires patience to lyse the adhesions. It'll take at least three hours to complete the surgery, and that doesn't even include the time taken for anesthesia to take effect and wear off. All things considered, the surgery will require at least four to five hours to complete, so don't worry."
He felt stabbed again.
"Besides, I think the possibility of successful laparoscopic surgery is quite low. It's highly likely that the surgeon will ask you to sign another set of doc.u.ments and change to an open surgery instead."
There were other messages from his classmates.
Those who studied medicine and engaged with the medical field generally had low emotional quotients and were more direct in their conversations, just like his classmate.
Then, the doors of the operating theater opened and Zheng Ren appeared at the doorstep with a surgical stretcher trolley.
The patient's son quickly put his phone away and approached Zheng Ren anxiously.
"Chief Zheng, do you want a signature again? Was the surgery not going well and you decided to change to an open surgery instead?" asked the patient's son nervously, failing to notice the stretcher trolley behind Zheng Ren.
"The surgery went on smoothly. Do you want to look at the gallbladder?" asked Zheng Ren.
"..." Smoothly? The patient's son was slightly confused.
How long had it been? The surgery had been finished within one hour, including the time taken for anesthesia to kick in and wear off? His classmate had mentioned all these to him just now, but what about the speculated four to five hours of surgery time?
Zheng Ren watched the patient's son stand still like a statue without any response or attempt to assist with the patient transfer.
"What's wrong? Come and lend me a hand," said Zheng Ren.
"Uh…" The patient's son snapped out of his thoughts and asked anxiously, "Are the adhesions serious?"
"Yes, severe adhesions."
"So how did you finish it so quickly?" The more questions the patient's son asked, the more uncertain he was about the current situation. Was it possible that the surgeon closed the abdomen straight away after realizing that it was actually a difficult case? Many people had heard similar rumors.
"Are the difficulty and duration of the surgery related?" Zheng Ren pushed the stretcher trolley and said, "Please press the button for the elevator."
The patient quickly called the elevator and returned to help steer the trolley.
Something just did not sound right. Should the surgery not have taken longer if it was more difficult? Why did Doctor Zheng's words contradict his understanding of the situation?
The surgery was too quick. His family and friends, who had been informed about the case, were still on their way to the hospital when the patient was transferred back to the ward.
After ensuring that the patient's vital signs on the ECG monitor had stabilized, Zheng Ren then returned to his office to give medical orders.
The patient's son left the ward and went to the operating theater when the rest of the family arrived. He wanted to see what the resected gallbladder looked like.
The nurse from the operating theater retrieved the specimen container with the resected gallbladder in it after he explained himself.
There was slender gallbladder tissue with a smooth surface inside. All pus collections had been set aside after they had been removed.
The patient's son was relieved to see no blood on it, as laypeople judged the situation by the amount of blood on the specimen. If there was no blood on it, it meant that the surgery had been successful. He then took a photo of it as a souvenir.
Just as he was about to return to the ward, there was a notification on his WeChat.
He opened it and saw that it was a message from his classmate.
"Don't worry about it. Even though Sea City General Hospital has an average medical standard, they shouldn't have any problem removing the gallbladder." His classmate "comforted" him in an outrageous manner.
"The surgery was complete and everything went well," he replied to the text message.
"!!!!!" His classmate replied with five exclamation marks.
"Really." The patient's son sent the photo he took just now.
The gallbladder, pus collections and adhesive tissue were clearly visible.
Normally, pathological specimens did not contain any pus collection as they would simply break into shreds during dissection, leaving nothing to send to pathology.
However, the photo showed the removed pus collection and adhesive tissue still intact next to the gallbladder, which had been cleanly resected with its anatomical structures well visualized.
"Since when did Sea City have such a professional surgeon?!" asked his classmate in WeChat.
If he had not seen it with his own eyes, he would definitely not have believed that someone actually possessed the skills to resect the gallbladder so professionally.
The patient's son read his classmate's response and felt a sense of pride in his heart.
Chief Zheng from Sea City General Hospital was indeed a demon!
Chapter 58 - Bronze Rank in The King
Zheng Ren doc.u.mented the surgery while recalling its preoperative process.
He had gained a lot from the intensive training in the System's operating theater. Moreover, he had a feeling that the increment in his overall skill level had had some effects on certain subspecialty surgeries as well.
Should he put all his savings of 930 skill points into the general surgery skill tree?
After contemplating for a while, Zheng Ren decided to wait.
Old Chief Physician Pan was extremely satisfied with Zheng Ren's surgery. After the patient had recovered from general anesthesia, his side effects were not serious and he did not even feel much pain.
It was indeed a wise decision to force Zheng Ren's transfer to the emergency department. This thought put a delighted smile on Old Chief Physician Pan's face.
However, the establishment of an emergency center could not depend solely on one doctor. No matter how strong Zheng Ren was, even if his body was made entirely of metal, how many nails could be made out of him in the end?
The more outstanding Zheng Ren's performance was, the heavier the burden on Old Chief Physician Pan's shoulders.
The patient's condition was stable. Zheng Ren proceeded to oversee the emergency department while Old Chief Physician Pan rushed to the medical administration division.
Naturally, his purpose there was to demand more manpower. The surgical assistant in Zheng Ren's surgery today turned out to be a scrub nurse. It would be utterly humiliating if anyone caught wind of this.
Old Chief Physician Pan strode toward his destination. His presence had annoyed the chief of the medical administration division greatly these past few days.
Dark clouds swarmed above Chief Zhou of the medical administration division instantly upon seeing Old Chief Physician Pan through the window.
If hospital management transferred doctors from any department to the emergency department, he would definitely offend the senior consultant of the corresponding department.
After all, every clinical department had a shortage of medical staff, so it would be very difficult to make an interdepartmental transfer.
Most importantly, no doctors wanted to work in the emergency department.
The emergency department was just like Siberia—a place for exiled criminals.
The fact that Old Chief Physician Pan was here at the medical administration division again made Chief Zhou pull at his hair in frustration.
If this situation continued, Chief Zhou firmly believed that Old Chief Physician Pan would consider the medical administration division his home.
The very thought of seeing that square face every day at work sent a chill down Chief Zhou's spine.
"Chief, this is the information yo
u requested."
Chief Zhou's eyes shone brightly. Why did he not think of her before?
"Little Chang, how long have you been working in the medical administration division?" Chief Zhou put his thoughts into action quickly before Old Chief Physician Pan could arrive at the office.
"Five months. I'll be able to return in another," answered the lady whom Chief Zhou addressed.
Little Chang's full name was Chang Yue, a twenty-five-year-old woman who stood between 162 and 163 centimeters and sported a pair of black-framed spectacles.
Despite her young age, she was neither carefree and joyous but appeared m.a.t.u.r.e and prudent instead. She was a bachelor's degree holder from the third batch of undergraduate students within the province. In Sea City General Hospital, this type of doctor was the least favored and had very limited opportunities for promotion.
After her graduation, she had come to Sea City General Hospital by chance and was hired as a resident doctor in the obstetrics and gynecology department.
A few months ago, a female patient was admitted to the ward in the obstetric and gynecology department due to post-miscarriage v.a.g.i.n.a.l bleeding. She was accompanied by a paramour but unfortunately, her husband was on the scene as well.
The cuckold lost his mind instantly and cut his unfaithful wife's carotid artery with a fruit knife on the spot. Blood splattered up to the ceiling and everyone fled in terror.
Everyone was frozen to the spot when the man walked out of the ward with a bloodstained fruit knife, but Little Chang was unusually calm and started speaking to the man about ideals, life, worldly affairs… The conversation continued until police officers arrived on the scene.
The man had cried with tears and snot flowing down his cheeks as he gave up without a struggle.
Her skills in initiating conversation made her a king in this category.
Logically, Little Chang should have been commended, but things did not develop as planned.
One of the frightened patients had had an accidental prenatal disturbance as she ran out of the ward and ended up having a miscarriage.
The patient's family members sued the hospital and demanded compensation of one million yuan.
In the end, Little Chang had to take the fall as she had been the doctor on duty that day. She received admonition and was suspended for six months.
Such disorganized nonsense was common in the hospital and the only difference was who the scapegoat would be each time.
Little Chang merely assumed that she had run out of luck and reported to the medical administration division without crying or argument.
She always completed her assignments well. One could imagine her being a brick that could be utilized anytime and anywhere.
Chief Zhou had initially planned to let her continue working in the medical administration division, but she just smiled and rejected his kind offer twice.
Trouble would be inevitable if she returned to the obstetrics and gynecology department. Those who framed her would probably feel guilty upon seeing her but would not mind digging a pit for her again if the need arose.
The chief of the medical administration division had witnessed this dark side of people countless times in his life.
Such being the case, what about transferring her to the emergency department?
"Little Chang, your admonition is coming to an end. What are your plans after this?" The chief of the medical administration division put on a kind expression and asked softly.
"I'm going to continue my clinical work. I don't know how to perform other tasks, anyway," answered Little Chang in a relaxed manner.
"It'll be troublesome in the obstetrics and gynecology department in the future."
"You're right." Little Chang was well aware of her situation.
"I've an idea. Why don't you give the emergency department a try?" The chief of the medical administration division had no time to explain further and stated his intention directly when Old Chief Physician Pan disappeared from the transparent French window.
"The emergency department?"
"Old Chief Physician Pan has set up an emergency center recently. I think you'll benefit more in the long run if you go there." The chief of the medical administration division was sincere and earnest in his explanation. "Old Chief Physician Pan is different from the others. He was born a soldier and is very protective of his own subordinates. If you encounter similar incidents again and your superior is Old Chief Physician Pan, he will definitely not ask you to take the blame for his safety."
"..." Little Chang kept quiet and gave it some thought.
Her double eyelids were conspicuous despite her small eyes, which made appear that her eyelids were actually bigger than her eyes.
Her eyelashes were long and radiated an aura of an elf with every blink, but her gaze remained indifferent no matter who she was talking to. Even as she faced the chief of the medical administration division, who held the power to decide her fate, her tone was respectful but did not contain the slightest mote of flattery.
Not only was there a lack of flattery, she even appeared slightly… apathetic.
"What do you think? Old Chief Physician Pan is a god. If you want to have a breakthrough in the medical field with your current educational background, it's better for you to work in a newly established department." The chief of the medical administration division was trying to brainwash Little Chang like a Grandma Wolf constantly tempting the little white rabbit.
The little white rabbit smiled in response. "Even if I want to go, I still have one more month of admonition."
"Don't worry about it." The chief of the medical administration division waved his hand immediately after knowing that Little Chang had been persuaded. "Anyone who dares to have a different opinion will come to the medical administration division to get their dues, or maybe they will go to the emergency department instead."
Perhaps, in his smugness, the chief of the medical administration division worded his last statement wrong, which embarrassed him slightly.
Incidentally, Old Chief Physician Pan barged into the office.
He sat directly on the couch in the office and asked, "Chief Zhou, where are my men?"
"Haha, Old Chief Physician Pan, you arrived just in time." In order to conceal his embarrassment, the chief of the medical administration division smiled and said, "Little Chang has agreed to work in the emergency department."
"Little Chang?" Old Chief Physician Pan glanced at the lady before him, obviously unsatisfied.
He needed male doctors who could perform surgery, not female doctors.
The medical industry had always treated women as men and men as livestock. Naturally, Old Chief Physician Pan was dissatisfied by the fact that he had lost one of his livestock to work his b.u.t.t off.
However, Old Chief Physician Pan recognized this female doctor and admired her attitude since the rumors around her had been widely spread within the hospital.
Old Chief Physician Pan did not refuse the offer, but continued to ask, "Do you think one is enough?"
"There is a batch of students under training this year. I'll give them to you as long as they agree to stay, how does that sound?" Chief Zhou's promise was basically pie in the sky.
After arguing for some time, Old Chief Physician Pan solidified Chief Zhou's impression that he would be a thorn in the chief's side every day if his manpower remained inadequate.
Then he said, "Little Chang, pack your stuff and return to the emergency department with me."
Little Chang nodded obediently.
She took her bag with only a few items in it and followed Old Chief Physician Pan.
The chief of the medical administration division sighed in relief after Old Chief Physician Pan disappeared from view. He had managed to overcome today, but what about tomorrow?
He hoped Little Chang was good at her job and could satisfy Old Chief Physician Pan's needs temporarily.
Chapter 59 - I Don’t Want To Perform Surgery
Old Chief Physician Pan and Little Chang chatted casually along the way.
The untalkative and reserved lady did not shamelessly lick the new chief physician's boots but held the emergency department in high regard. Every sentence was straight to the point, which pleased Old Chief Physician Pan greatly.
Especially with the two recent events involving the medical administration division—the endoscopic transrectal appendectomy and nitrite poisoning, in Chang Yue's words, Old Chief Physician Pan was a good commander and had contributed to the success of these two operations.
Old Chief Physician Pan finally managed to get new staff for the emergency department and the first thing he did was to assign Chang Yue to Zheng Ren and to give a few instructions, such as obeying Zheng Ren's commands, devoting her effort to the establishment of the emergency center and so on.
Zheng Ren had just issued postoperative medical orders and was about to doc.u.ment the details of the surgical case when Old Chief Physician Pan gave him a junior laborer. Thus, he explained the patient's condition briefly and threw the work to Chang Yue.
Chang Yue did what she was told obediently without impatience or flattering Zheng Ren. She put down her bag without asking for a locker, called the patient's family member for history-taking and started recording their details.
Zheng Ren went for a ward round in the meantime. The wards in the emergency center were separated from the emergency department observation units, and there was only one patient in it at present—the elderly man who had undergone a cholecystectomy.
The patient had fully regained consciousness from the general anesthesia. He felt slightly nauseous but no emesis was noted.
He complained to Zheng Ren several times about the discomfort caused by the nasogastric tube, but after coaxing and even lying with good intent, Zheng Ren finally managed to calm the patient down.
The nasogastric tube had been inserted into the nostril, passed through the nasopharynx, esophagus and finally to the stomach. Gastric contents could then be aspirated by negative pressure.
When the tube passed through the nasopharynx, the swallowing action would stimulate the pharyngeal mucosa, which was why the patient had been experiencing discomfort.
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