Chapter 232
Chapter 232: Chapter 128 Director Shen’s Advice, Growth in Orthopedics_2
The next step is bandaging and observing the blood circulation in the transplanted finger.
The finger, after perfusion, showed a hint of color in the nail cap.
However, overall, it still looked somewhat shriveled.
This is a normal phenomenon. In a day or two, if the initial transplantation is successful, the color of the finger will become rosy, it will turn pale when pressed, rebound upon release, and quickly restore its color.
This indicates that the capillaries are filled with fresh blood.
Otherwise, there is a problem with the circulation.
Just like this morning during rounds, I encountered a patient with four re-implanted fingers, whose fingers were pale and obviously problematic.
To determine whether the transplanted finger has survived, it usually takes about a week.
If after a week, the finger is rosy, warm, plump, and the capillary response to pressure is good, it signifies successful attachment. If it turns black, shrivels, or even becomes infected, then the transplantation has failed.
Immediate action must be taken.
It must be mentioned that the sooner a necrotic limb is amputated, the better.
Otherwise, necrotic limbs or body tissues will produce large amounts of toxins, harmful substances, bacteria, which invade the body through the bloodstream.
At that point, whether one can survive is questionable.
There was a city-level hospital, which performed a lower limb vascular bypass surgery on a patient. During that period, the lead surgeon was traveling and being irresponsible. All patient complaints and responses were ignored, and eventually, the patient couldn’t even have their life saved by a high-level amputation.
Such negligence and regard for patient’s life as trivial should result in a lifetime ban from practicing.
But unfortunately, when such situations arise, the patient’s family suing the hospital often just ends with a settlement.
That doctor continues to cause harm in the world.
“Okay, you can wake the patient from anesthesia now!”
Director Shen told the anesthesiologist.
“I am going to the clinic this afternoon and also have to teach at the school. You two continue with the surgeries. This class 100 surgery room will have other arrangements this afternoon, let’s pack up! Let’s go have lunch and take a break.”
Watching his two talented subordinates, Director Shen made arrangements for them.
Leading a team as a professor must be one of the busiest roles for doctors.
Meetings, leading surgeries, making rounds, mentoring, conducting research, teaching, consulting… their time is often fully scheduled.
At Director Shen’s level, each one is a treasure in China’s medical community.
“Xiao Zhou, you did well today. I specifically looked at how you handled and sutured the patient’s foot wound. This fish-mouth type of suture is a very good choice. Your suturing technique and knot tying are impeccable. Who is your mentoring teacher in the Emergency Department?”
Director Shen’s gaze fell on Zhou Can.
“Dr. Xu!”
In Zhou Can’s view, Dr. Xu is his only mentor.
Director Shen nodded, “I guessed as much. Dr. Xu was once one of the top three surgeons in our department. With him teaching you, no wonder your surgical skills are outstanding. To exaggerate a bit, you are now at a level where, except for experience, you are not inferior in skills compared to chief level doctors. Even some less skilled chief level doctors are far inferior to you.”
This evaluation might be a bit high.
But still fair and true.
Zhou Can really has that ability now.
“Xiao Zhou, I have something frank to say, don’t take it wrong.”
Director Shen looked at him, his eyes and tone very sincere.
“Please speak, I’m all ears!”
Zhou Can knew, at Director Shen’s level, these words come from genuine experience and concern.
It’s because he sees Zhou Can as incredibly gifted and performing exceptionally well that he’s willing to share these words.
“Yesterday, when I saw you separating blood vessels, you reminded me of Dr. Xu back in the day, and your style is very similar. Do you know how Dr. Xu fell from being one of the top three surgeons to his current chief level?”
“I know a little. Back then, Dr. Xu was penalized because of a medical accident during a surgery.”
Zhou Can didn’t know much more.
“Back then, Dr. Xu was operating too quickly, injecting, and almost killed the patient. It was only after top chief level doctors from various departments intervened and worked hard that the patient’s life was saved. But the patient was left permanently paralyzed, unable to care for themselves, essentially a vegetative state.”
“The identity of that patient was not simple. At that time, the incident was highly publicized, and the higher authorities initially wanted to impose the maximum penalty on Dr. Xu, a lifetime ban from practicing medicine, revocation of his medical license, entry onto the industry blacklist. Later, it was only due to the hospital’s leaders and a prominent figure Dr. Xu had once saved, that he was able to keep his position.”
“The speed of your surgical cuts concerns me greatly. I am truly afraid that you might one day follow in his footsteps.”
Director Shen spoke earnestly.
“Your talent surpasses any prodigy I have ever seen. With the right training and relentless improvement, you definitely have the potential to become a cornerstone for Tu Ya. As for the lower education, it is not a problem at all—it can be resolved in many ways. You might want to consider curtailing fast surgery style you just began practicing, as its influence isn’t significant yet, and stop blindly pursuing speed.”
Director Shen was earnestly advising him, truly pouring his heart out.
And he indeed harbored genuine appreciation of talent, not wanting to see a rare genius go astray.
“Thank you for your earnest and valuable words today. I haven’t yet decided to focus on fast surgery as my main direction; I’m just practicing it preliminarily. When I need to choose my specialization a year into my residency, I will definitely weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a decision.”