When the Doctor Uses A Hack

Chapter 371: Chapter 371: Director Tao’s Change of Attitude

The atmosphere in the operating room didn’t seem to be so tense.

After all, with Director Tao Zi personally leading the operation, everyone was relatively more relaxed.

Zhang Wenfu was assisting, Chen Cang was supposed to be the second assistant, while Qian Lin and a fellow student were there for moral support, handling tasks like tying knots and hooking up equipment.

However, this was already quite satisfactory to the two of them.

Do not assume that every student gets a chance to participate in surgery, especially first-year postgraduates.

Before the surgery had even started, anesthesiologist Liu Jian was chatting with Director Tao on the side, while the nurse Yuan Yuan, under the envious gaze of Qian Lin and his classmate, helped Chen Cang into his surgical gown.

But Chen Cang suddenly remembered an issue that needed consideration: how to choose the site for the incision.

Thinking of this, he turned around, “Yuan Yuan, bring out the examination report, let me see the chest film and the ultrasound.”

Kong Yuanyuan nodded, took out the films, and upon seeing them, Chen Cang slightly frowned.

Based on this chest film, it was certain that the patient had pericardial adhesions, but Chen Cang needed to determine where exactly these adhesions were located, as different adhesion sites would mean different incision choices.

Under the X-ray results, the cardiac silhouette was notably irregular, somewhat stiff, with an enlarged superior mediastinum, and Chen Cang looked on in silence.

Seeing this, Tao Zi’s eyes revealed a touch of appreciation; he knew what Chen Cang was doing.

Qian Lin and his classmate noticed their teacher’s look, smartly turned around, and moved behind Chen Cang, nodding at the images many times.

Qian Lin nodded thoughtfully, “Mm, that’s it, right there, that calcification point!”

His classmate also eagerly agreed, “Mm-hmm, lots of them.”

Chen Cang: …

…

…

A few minutes later, Chen Cang had a plan in mind.

For a surgeon, having a plan is crucial and most important; it meant that he had a detailed strategy for the operation, from the beginning to the end.

The surgery soon began.

Tao Zi picked up the scalpel and, after some consideration, began to operate.

With this first move, Chen Cang understood the intention behind Director Tao’s choice.

The incision chosen was a “bilateral trans-sternal thoracotomy”!

True to form as an experienced director, Tao’s choice of incision immediately impressed Chen Cang.

Zhang Wenfu’s eyelids twitched, and he quickly reached for gauze to staunch the bleeding, while Chen Cang discreetly picked up a pair of forceps, knowing that since Director Tao had chosen this particular incision, the goal was clear: to enlarge the surgical field, taking into account both sides of the heart.

Consequently, forceps had to be prepared in order to better facilitate the next steps.

Indeed, without looking up, Tao Zi called out:

“Spreader forceps!”

No sooner had his voice faded than Chen Cang had already handed over the forceps.

Tao Zi couldn’t help but look up, and seeing the spreader forceps in Chen Cang’s hand, he couldn’t help but laugh.

Having such an assistant made the surgery all the more comfortable.

After that, Chen Cang was able to efficiently handle anything Director Tao needed, at any time, and even took the initiative to assist during separations, all without needing any reminders from Director Tao.

The surgery had Zhang Wenfu feeling exhilarated, as if he was watching an episode of “Let’s & Go!!”

Fast! Fast! Fast!

Charge! Charge! Charge!

The surgery brothers in action…

Because the collaboration between the director and Chen Cang was so seamless, and Zhang Wenfu couldn’t be of much help, he felt a bit clumsy!

So, without making a fuss, Zhang Wenfu switched places with Chen Cang.

The operation was progressing smoothly.

Although Director Tao was over fifty, his techniques were still extremely meticulous.

As soon as they cut through the muscle and entered the chest cavity, Chen Cang immediately took over the hemostat, quickly secured the internal thoracic artery, and then cut it off.

Then it was necessary to sever the fifth rib near the sternum!

As far as possible, they needed to expand the chest, including the thoracic cavity.

The next phase of separation work was a real display of skill, as it required the sharp dissection of the left phrenic nerve from within the pericardium. Moreover, it was necessary to carry as much fat or soft tissue as possible to avoid damaging the phrenic nerve.

The entire process was very meticulous, and it was only at this time that Chen Cang realized how steady Director Tao’s hands were!

The work that followed was extremely delicate.

Even though Chen Cang was already a master of constrictive pericarditis surgery, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe when observing Director Tao.

Truly impressive!

One could only say that each had their own strengths.

There was potential for mutual improvement. Director Tao’s overall perspective was much better than Chen Cang’s, evident from the start of the procedure.

He thought the “bilateral anterior thoracic transverse incision” had very clear advantages. It provided the best exposure among the various incisions, allowing consideration of both sides of the heart and complete removal of the pericardium. Moreover, it facilitated easy management of any unexpected events during the surgery!

This approach was very much in line with Wu Yushu’s condition.

Because Wu Yushu’s medical condition had been present for a long time, it would be difficult to accurately assess the pericardium without surgery—a direct approach.

However, there were drawbacks. Chen Cang felt that using a “left anterolateral thoracic incision + bilateral anterior thoracic transverse incision” might be better.

In doing so, it would clearly reduce the impact on lung function.

No significant harm done!

The surgery continued.

After the pericardium was exposed, a series of information flashed before Chen Cang’s eyes:

[Constrictive Pericarditis Monster, lv55, elite level, with severe adhesions, careful dissection required.]

Chen Cang was momentarily stunned—this was no ordinary constrictive pericarditis.

Indeed!

At that moment, just as Director Tao made an incision in the pericardium, the situation before him made him pause.

The incision hadn’t reached the surface of the myocardium!

This was because the adhesion between the pericardium and the epicardium had become dense and indistinct!

This indicated that there were significant adhesions between the visceral and parietal layers of the pericardium.

Director Tao immediately felt a surge of relief, grateful for having chosen this particular incision!

Otherwise, it would have been troublesome…

At this time, Chen Cang had already passed over the scalpel blade.

Because of the situation, a sharp dissection was necessary!

Director Tao was momentarily startled: How did this young Chen figure it out?

While Director Tao remained composed on the surface, his mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Surgery was all about the details, after all.

And it seemed that Chen Cang had a smooth grasp of each step, even preparing for the next move before Director Tao had made his!

How could Director Tao not be shocked?

It was quite clear what this meant: Chen Cang was not only capable of performing constrictive pericarditis surgeries but could be said to excel at them—even possibly on par with himself!

At this realization, the impact on Director Tao’s heart was truly beyond anyone’s expectations!

This young Chen was really something…

Sigh…

…

…

As the surgery slowly progressed, Director Tao felt a multitude of emotions.

How long had it been?

How long had it been since he had comfortably performed such a surgery.

Having a highly skilled assistant was an extraordinary feeling.

After all… who with such talent would assist him?

With this thought, Director Tao couldn’t help but sigh deeply…

Maybe there really were geniuses in this world, and at this moment, Director Tao suddenly understood Qian Lin and Classmate A a bit more…

ps: I’ll post the second chapter in a while, I’m afraid it might get stuck again, so I’ll wait five minutes to post…