Chapter 33 (2/2)
“No. I went to a conference last time and was interested in it, so I bought it afterward,” replied Zheng Ren perfunctorily.
Chief Surgeon s.h.i.+ remained doubtful. Who would purchase a single piece of expensive instrument that was meant to be used in a surgical device? What was he going to do with it when it served no function in a surgery when used alone? Take it back home and enshrine it?
However, it was obvious that Zheng Ren had no desire to tell the truth. Left with no choice, he gave the brand-new, polished and delicate endoclip an envious stare while s...o...b..ring in jealousy.
“Chief Physician Pan, all the equipment is ready. When can we start the surgery?” Zheng Ren dialed Old Chief Physician Pan’s phone number and reported the situation.
“Okay, I’m on my way.” Old Chief Physician Pan hung up immediately after Zheng Ren gave him the news.
Zheng Ren’s cell phone rang a few minutes later. It was Old Chief Physician Pan, who instructed him to prepare for the surgery and informed him that the patient was already on her way to the endoscopy unit.
Chief Surgeon s.h.i.+ of the endoscopy unit also received a call from the chief of the medical administration division, as the hospital management placed a high value on this patient and wanted the endoscopy unit to prepare everything in advance. The chief even informed Chief Surgeon s.h.i.+ that Secretary-General Chen was currently on his way to Sea City General Hospital to observe the surgery along with the director of the hospital.
The endoscopy unit was turned upside-down instantly as everyone started making preoperative preparations as soon as they could.
Old Chief Physician Pan was the first to reach the scene. He merely stood beside Zheng Ren silently like a firm and steady anchor without asking Zheng Ren again if he was confident about the surgery.
After the chief of the medical administration division brought the chief anesthesiologist to the endoscopy unit, the atmosphere in the room started to turn gloomy.
The surgeons from the general surgery department arrived at the scene along with the female patient who was lying on the stretcher trolley with her feet hanging off it. The lady was just too tall.
Chief Surgeon Liu had a dark expression. He had a bad feeling about this—Zheng Ren knew how to perform the surgery proficiently.
Like an arrow on a tensed bowstring, it was too late for Chief Surgeon Liu to voice his objection.
The patient was lying on the endoscopy operating table, and preoperative informed consent doc.u.ments had to be signed by the director of the hospital and Secretary-General Chen, so anxiety was pointless at this moment.
Zheng Ren glanced at the countdown timer on the upper right corner of his vision—four hours and fifteen minutes left.
Ten minutes later, Director Xiao and Secretary General Chen arrived at the endoscopy unit.
Despite being the surgeon in the upcoming surgery, Zheng Ren was sitting at one corner of the office without any hint of presence.
On the left-hand side of the long table sat Xiao Keming, the director of the hospital, Fu Guangs.h.i.+, deputy director in charge of clinical work, Old Chief Physician Pan, and various consultants from the general surgery, endoscopy, and anesthesiology departments. On the right-hand side of the long table sat Secretary-General Chen, the office director, and the patient’s agent and a.s.sistant.
DIrector Xiao was the first to initiate the discussion
“The city places a high value on the patient, so Chief Surgeon Liu from the general surgery department will explain her condition.”
A short sentence, but it was spoken powerfully.
“The patient is diagnosed with simple acute appendicitis. She has undergone three days of conservative treatment which has been ineffective. Tenderness noted on the right iliac fossa region and we’ve found rebound tenderness this morning, which is suggestive of an increased severity and a possibility of perforation.” There were dark circles underneath Chief Surgeon Liu’s bloodshot eyes, which made him appear low-spirited and disheartened.
Only a few of them knew his condition was a result of an overnight battle with Zheng Ren. Those unaware of it thought that he had actually worn himself out for the sake of the patient.
Chief Surgeon Liu hesitated for a while and said regretfully, as if possessed by a drama queen, “The general surgery department had discussed this case many times and we’ve come to the conclusion that conservative treatment isn’t a viable option anymore. She has to undergo surgery as soon as possible.”
“Chief Surgeon Liu, may I ask what is your plan for surgery?” asked a well-mannered middle-aged man with a pair of spectacles on the right.
“We can perform an open appendectomy or laparoscopic appendectomy.” Chief Surgeon Liu made no attempt to mention Zheng Ren’s surgical technique. “Judging by the patient’s condition, I recommend an open appendectomy. Since her subcutaneous layer is thin, we can make an approximately three to four-centimeter incision and she’ll be able to walk around after one day of rest. Recovery can be expected after five to six days.”
“Er…” The expected time of recovery had exceeded the requirements given by the organizing committee of New Idea Model Contest, but this was an expert’s medical opinion. They had to listen to him.
Most of them had a proper sense of priorities. An outburst of temper at this moment would do the patient no good.
The patient’s agent and Secretary-General Chen had the same thought in mind—it would be a pity if the patient missed the final.
“We can do a woundless appendectomy without delaying the patient’s recovery process. She can still partic.i.p.ate in the final three days later.” Old Chief Physician Pan interrupted Chief Surgeon Liu abruptly with a thunderous voice and an aura that overwhelmed everyone in the room, like a ferocious tiger descending from the mountaintop.
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