Surgery Godfather

Chapter 60: Chapter 0058: Peerless Skills

Song Zimo stayed up practicing until midnight, yet he was still bright and energetic in the morning.

Seeing Yang Ping in the office, he said in a low voice, “Now I can proficiently peel and stitch grape skins, pinch crystal babies, and thread needles under an arthroscope even with my eyes closed.”

These are all arthroscopy training methods: making an incision into the grape’s skin under a microscope, peeling it off intact, and then stitching it back on; a crystal baby that has been soaked in water for too long is prone to cracking and can easily be crushed with a little force; threading a needle is a delicate operation, requiring the thread to be passed through a fine needle, and then using the needle to thread a string of tiny beads. These are all highly difficult microscopic techniques.

Arthroscopy is a type of endoscopy, a minimally invasive technique that is specifically suitable for joint surgery; there is no need for an incision, just a few holes the size of chopsticks to complete the procedure.

The microscope facilitates direct coordination between the hand and eye, whereas arthroscopy separates the hand and eye.

The eye doesn’t directly view the operating area, instead, it watches the video on the screen in front of the operator, and the hand performs the operation guided by the video.

One hand holds the lens and the other hand holds the instrument; both the lens and the instrument enter the joint through a small hole, the lens records footage inside the joint in real time and sends it to the screen for the doctor to operate the instrument while watching.

Because the hand and eye are separate, the learning process tends to be fairly long, many doctors can’t master it even after many years of practice.

On the surface, Song Zimo appears indifferent, as if he doesn’t care about anything, but his passion for surgery burns like fire within him. He never backs down from a match with Yang Ping. Given the opportunity, he makes sure to declare his presence like a King of Lions.

After making his rounds, Director Han specifically sought out Professor Zhang about Li Jingshu’s manual reduction technique.

“Teacher Zhang, could you help me out with something?” Director Han asked, standing.

Professor Zhang sat on the sofa in the only suite in the department, which had a ward inside and a living room outside, which was equipped with a sofa, coffee table, refrigerator, microwave, and the like.

“Just say it, since when did doing things become so tedious?” said Professor Zhang.

Though it was difficult, Director Han still spoke up, “There’s a patient with a comminuted fracture of the left ulna and radius, with noticeable displacement, who has come specifically for manual reduction from you, but you——”

Professor Zhang waved his hand, “Where is the patient now? Do we have the films? Let’s see the films first, then bring the patient over.”

Director Han knew Professor Zhang the best, he didn’t even mention that the patient was the Mayor’s daughter. Because for others, this information could be a key factor influencing their decision, but for him, it has no effect.

The most useful thing to him is the phrase “patient”. It doesn’t matter whose daughter she is, emphasizing that she’s a patient will do.

“The films are here.” Director Han gave a meaningful look.

Song Zimo immediately took out the films from the bag, bent down to one side to hold them comfortably, and conveniently presented them to Professor Zhang to review.

Professor Zhang carefully read the films, “You can proceed with manual reduction, but you’ll need to do it under anesthesia. It’s very difficult, I’ll need an assistant.”

His gaze swept over them, first hitting Yang Ping, then bypassing Yang Ping to land on Song Zimo beside him: “Xiao Song could assist, this kind of thing he should be capable of.”

Song Zimo raised his proud head; Yang Ping thought, he looks just like a Gallic Rooster.

After examining the films, Professor Zhang seemed particularly reflective, “People’s attitudes towards traditional Chinese medicine are either all for it or completely against it. Few people view it with a scientific mindset. Those who despise traditional Chinese medicine and want to see it eradicated, need not be so agitated or fretful. Look at the doctors in Chinese medicine hospitals, how many of them truly understand traditional Chinese medicine? No need to shout looks like this day is not too far off. As for those who are heartbroken about the impending extinction of traditional Chinese medicine, they could put their tears away, build up their spirits, and think about how to leverage modern technology to uncover the value of traditional Chinese medicine. If something must rely on sentiment to be preserved, then sentiment is all that thing has left. The traditional bone-setting treatment is greatly advantageous for long bones of the limbs, especially the humerus and ulna radius of the upper limbs. For fractures involving the joint surface, complex fractures, to be honest, it’s not very effective. It’s like comparing a bow and arrow to a gun. Is a bow and arrow useful? Yes, it is! In small-scale use! Special forces even carry crossbows with them because they’re silent, flameless, and suitable for infiltration and assassination. But in modern warfare, would you rely on a crossbow to fight battles? If you do, you’re either out of your mind, or you’ve been hit on the head.”

Professor Zhang spoke with conviction, calmly and moderately.

Professor Zhang continued, “I once wrote a book in which I systematically analyzed traditional bone-setting from the perspectives of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics.”

Director Han laughed and said, “This patient came to us with your book.”

Professor Zhang was surprised, “Can that book still be found? I wrote it in the seventies. Nowadays, doctors are not interested in this anymore. In the past, this was a skill passed down through generations, from father to son, but not to daughter. Times have changed, and we can’t blame doctors. To master bone-setting, it takes many years of practice, at least a decade or so, until you’re skilled. Even then, it’s laborious. Several people will be sweating profusely to complete one procedure, and the charges are only a few tens of dollars. At the high end, it may cost one to two hundred dollars, hardly a livable income. Who would be willing to practice this? Besides, its application is limited. In the past, fractures were often caused by wrestling or fights, simple fractures that could be treated with manipulation. Nowadays, high-energy injuries such as car accidents are common. Any complex fracture you get will be in vain no matter how skilled you are at manipulation. Thus, I don’t encourage everyone to practice this. The medical environment is not suitable for this practice, but those in pediatrics orthopedics may want to try. How is the patient?”

Realizing he had strayed from the point, Professor Zhang quickly brought the conversation back on track.

Director Han said, “She fell off a horse while horseback riding, and her left hand swelled up when she tried to brace herself. She’ll undergo surgery after the swelling subsides. Will there be anesthesia?”

“Definitely. In the past, we didn’t have the conditions, and the patients would wail during bone-setting procedures. Some even fainted if their health was not good.” Professor Zhang thought that such practices were inhumane in those days.

“Xiao Yang, if you have time, take a look. It’s okay whether you’re interested in learning or not.” Professor Zhang said to Yang Ping. In fact, the old man was not stubborn but rather open-minded.

With Professor Zhang’s agreement, Director Han felt relieved. He took Yang Ping and Song Zimo to the Overseas Chinese Building to see Li Jingshu.

Possibly after loosening the splint, her venous return became smooth and the swelling lessened.

There was a fluffy panda stuffed animal next to her bed, and her dark red round glasses were on the bedside table.

Accompanying her was a meticulously dressed woman who must be her mother, the Mayor’s wife.

On seeing the doctor come in, Mrs. Li immediately stood up. Department Director Zhuang introduced, “This is our orthopedics department director, Professor Han.”

Mrs. Li slightly bowed, “Thank you so much for your trouble. This child is too willful and insists on refusing surgery. We understand that how could such a fracture get better without a surgery. Please give her another chance. I just spoke with her and if she still insists, we’ll proceed with the surgery.”

“Professor Zhang currently has a hip fracture and just finished his surgery. He is in our department for recovery. I just discussed with him, and he agreed to help with the bone resetting after the swelling subsides,” Director Han replied, maintaining his dignity.

Mrs. Li said, “That’s great, but I’m sorry for all the trouble we’ve caused you and Professor Zhang. Look at how much trouble my daughter has put everyone in. Xiao Zheng, get ready. We are going to visit Professor Zhang and thank him in person soon. What are you looking at? You are coming too. Despite his own fracture and hospital stay, the old professor still has to deal with us.”

Li Jingshu stuck her tongue out at her mother. Xiao Zheng must be the female assistant who came with Mrs. Li. She stood silently on the side, very polite and respectful. Around thirty years old, she appeared very respectful.

After scolding Li Jingshu, Mrs. Li turned to Director Han, “Professor Han, when would be a good time for us to visit Professor Zhang? I feel uneasy without thanking him in person.”

Director Han said, “Let’s wait until after the bone resetting. Let Professor Zhang have a good rest first.”

Mrs. Li said, “Yes, you’re right. Thank you. Li Jingshu, my daughter, is spoiled by her father and me. Please forgive her for any inconvenience caused.”

Li Jingshu pouted, looking a little impatient.

After leaving the ward, Director Zhuang said, “Dean Xia already took a look this morning. Could you report the situation to him again? He’s also pretty busy. He spoke with Director Cao for more than an hour last night.”

Director Han nodded.

He said to Song Zimo, “Discuss with the doctor in charge of the patient and prepare for the surgery. If the bone resetting fails, immediately proceed with the surgery. Once the swelling has subsided sufficiently, arrange for the procedure immediately.”

Suddenly, Director Han remembered something, “Xiao Yang, come with me.”