Chapter 286
Epilepsy often results from the excessively synchronous abnormal discharges of brain neurons. An electroencephalogram (EEG) not only can diagnose based on the appearance of spikes, sharp waves, spike-and-slow waves, or sharp-and-slow complex waves on the EEG.
It also provides certain diagnostic clues for physicians to determine the type of epilepsy seizure and the location of abnormal discharges.
Zhou Can scrutinized the patient’s EEG carefully.
He even compared it with the EEG taken before the patient was admitted.
Soon, he found significant differences in the peak values of the two EEGs.
The sharp wave sections had unusually sped up a lot.
Additionally, the second EEG showed a significant increase in scattered abnormal waves.
“Xiao Zhou, give us your diagnostic opinion!”
Perhaps Director Wen wanted to get a measure of Zhou Can’s capability.
He wanted to see how this standardized training doctor performed beyond the implantation technique.
The focus of everyone else was also converging on Zhou Can’s face.
“I’m just a newbie, maybe I shouldn’t share my opinion to avoid embarrassment.”
Zhou Can had just joined Director Wen’s medical team and thought it better to keep a low profile.
Speaking too much leads to error, a principle his parents taught him since childhood.
“Speak, feel free to speak without any concerns!”
Director Wen insisted that he speak.
Such a good opportunity to assess his capability couldn’t be easily missed.
Analyzing difficult cases can better test a person’s overall diagnostic abilities.
“Then I shall humbly offer my thoughts.”
Zhou Can stopped holding back.
“I compared the pre-operative and post-operative EEGs, and the differences are significant. Whether it’s the speed of the sharp waves or the number of scattered abnormal waves, both have increased significantly since before the surgery.”
Director Wen nodded slightly.
A trainee spotting so many abnormalities in such a short time was quite impressive.
“Continue!” he indicated to Zhou Can.
“From the comparison of the EEGs before and after the surgery, the surgery not only didn’t solve the problem but worsened the condition instead.”
The moment Zhou Can uttered these words, the entire room became exceptionally quiet.
Many were looking at him in surprise.
Is this young trainee unaware of what can and can’t be said? Doesn’t he have any sense?
Was he indirectly criticizing that Director Wen didn’t perform the surgery well?
Director Wen originally wore a smile, which now froze on his face.
Though he had not yet lost his temper, everyone could feel the rage brewing within Director Wen.
He didn’t immediately slam the table and scold Zhou Can, only because of his status.
“Continue!” Director Wen’s tone was noticeably colder and heavily accented.
His gaze towards Zhou Can was icy.
Someone who doesn’t respect senior doctors isn’t worth developing.
No matter how skilled they are.
“Looking further at the comparative results of the brain CT scans before and after the surgery. Clearly, the surgery has thoroughly removed the original lesion. Forgive my bluntness, such a complete excision of abnormal venous vessels near the internal capsule, without causing any damage to the patient’s internal capsule, demonstrates a level of expertise beyond that of an ordinary director.”
“At least, it’s something only an expert-level neurosurgeon could achieve.”
Zhou Can shifted from criticism to praise.
These few sentences triggered a round of warm applause.
Director Wen’s previously gloomy expression became radiant, his gaze towards Zhou Can now filled with an even deeper smile.
It was more soothing than drinking a cold sugary drink on a hot June day.
Undoubtedly, shifting from criticism to praise was much more effective than direct flattery.
Zhou Can actually wasn’t aiming to flatter Director Wen.
He was merely stating the facts.
He probably didn’t even anticipate the unexpectedly positive outcome himself.
Emotional intelligence, cultivated from a young age, is crucial.
Gradually internalized, it prevents one from making blunders in speech or actions.
Ever since Zhou Can joined Tu Ya Hospital’s training program, he has encountered several crises, all of which his high emotional intelligence successfully resolved.
Whether it was Vice Dean Bai or Shangguan Yan from Tuya Second Hospital, both had become allies and grateful to him.
If it were someone else handling these situations, the outcomes might have been different.
“Ha ha, this surgery indeed posed considerable challenges, but saying it requires at least an expert-level neurosurgeon might be a bit of an exaggeration!” Director Wen isn’t without astuteness.
Yet, under Zhou Can’s tactical approach of criticism followed by praise, even deep astuteness couldn’t compete with the sheer joy of honest laughter.
Since he was truly elated to the extreme.
His heart felt as if it was filled with honey.
The surgery had developed complications, and Director Wen had been under immense pressure internally, fearful of mockery for a subpar performance.
Now, Zhou Can had spoken fairly for him, publicly highlighting the surgery’s merits and critical difficulties.
How could he not be pleased?
This was not only recognition of his surgical skills but also high praise for the surgical field in which Director Wen excelled most.
Much more genuine than some arbitrary flattery.
“I wasn’t exaggerating. Removing abnormal venous vessels near the internal capsule involves risks and difficulties second only to operating near the brainstem. Many directors of neurosurgery wouldn’t dare undertake such surgeries. Those who can do them well are even rarer.”
Zhou Can continued to praise Director Wen.
All throughout, he didn’t mention Director Wen’s name once.
But Director Wen found it incredibly satisfying to listen to.
This shows that flattering is indeed a skill. It’s not just about simply praising someone with generic compliments like, “You’re so handsome”, “You’re so talented”, or “You’re so rich…”