The Surgeon's Studio

‘That was quick,’ Pan Ziyao thought.

The surgery was likely not over.

Appendectomies were one of the few procedures the rural healthcare center could perform.

Each appendectomy took at least 30 minutes to complete.

Pan Ziyao had only stepped out for a cigarette. There was no way the procedure could be over so quickly.

This must be another patient.

He scanned the waiting area. The only other people there were the family members he had scolded.

Su Yun hollered, “The head of the family, please stay back. Chief Zheng wants a word with you. The others should assist with transport.”

‘So, it was the patient,’ Pan Ziyao concluded.

When he found out Old Chief Physician Pan would not be personally handling the case, he was slightly offended, but that feeling quickly faded when he saw the patient being wheeled out in record time.

The family members went to the patient’s side and assisted Su Yun. Pan Ziyao stayed behind with the father.

A few minutes passed before Zheng Ren walked out of the operating room in surgical scrubs. There was a specimen tray in his gloved hand; the other hand held a pair of hemostatic clamps. He was ready to enlighten them about the patient’s appendicitis.

“Here is the appendicolith. The wall of the appendix is quite thin; if left to its own devices, it would have ruptured in a few hours,” Zheng Ren used the hemostatic clamps to probe the appendix as he explained.

The swelling of the appendix was evident. There were signs of perforation at its tip.

The speed of the surgery was not indicative of the severity of the disease.

Zheng Ren was not exaggerating when he said the appendix was about to rupture. If that had happened, the aftermath would be a severe case of peritonitis.

High pressure in the appendix would cause intense pain right before the rupture.

When the rupture occurs, the pressure in the appendix is relieved. In that case, the patient’s symptoms would abate, despite the worsening internal conditions.

The feedback of an improving patient could lead to an error in judgment whereby the peritonitis is neglected.

By the time the patient’s condition visibly worsened, the patient would already be in a critical state of toxic shock. The patient would require intensive medical treatment to address the spreading infection.

There was a chance the patient would die fighting such an infection.

The patient that day was considered lucky.

The appendectomy proceeded swiftly once the relevant documents were signed.

As Zheng Ren ended his explanation, the father wore a shocked expression. The appendix piece in the specimen tray taunted him.

In the father’s experience, appendicitis could be easily cured with antiinflammatory medication.

People who had suffered from appendicitis back in the village never required surgery. His daughter was of marriageable age, so surgery was simply not an option. What if the neighbors started spreading rumors?

The father only agreed to the surgery after Pan Ziyao gave him a scolding and an ultimatum.

Who was he to refuse the mayor of the Zhonghe District?

The father never considered the possibility of his daughter dying from appendicitis.

Pan Ziyao gave the father a kick in the shin. “You old fool. You nearly killed your daughter. Still thinking about that dowry? A dead daughter will fetch you nothing, and how will you retire then? Probably end up in an old folk’s home.”

The father scratched his head and put on an innocent face. “Mayor Pan, I really didn’t know it was this serious.”

“You think this is a trick? Look at that!” Pan Ziyao pointed at the swollen appendix and the obstructing appendicolith in the specimen tray.

There was nothing more the father could say, so he let out an awkward chuckle.

Zheng Ren brought the specimen tray back into the operating room and went to change.

Just as he was done changing, his phone rang.

Another emergency case? It was what Zheng Ren was hoping for, just so he could have a reason to not attend dinner with Pan Ziyao.

Not that Zheng Ren did not like Pan Ziyao; he just did not enjoy business meals.

He answered the call. It was Director Zhang from the Secondary Hospital.

“Director Zhang, hi.” Zheng Ren held the phone between his ear and shoulder. His hands were busy putting on his shoes.

“Oh yes.” he continued. “Not an issue. If the patients do not exhibit complications, we can keep it to ten or less.

“Alright. I’m done here, so I’ll have a look. If everything checks out, we can begin tomorrow.”

The call ended.

Director Zhang from the Secondary Hospital had found a few patients who fit the criteria for the TIPS procedure. The patients had undergone the diffusion-weighted MRI and the director wanted to know if Zheng Ren would be willing to operate on them.

There would be eight patients in total this round.

The mission required Zheng Ren to complete one more TIPS procedure. The other patients were extraneous in relation to the mission. As a responsible doctor, Zheng Ren was willing to spend his time to help them.

Director Zhang had sent a courier to deliver the scans. Zheng Ren rushed upstairs to his office.

A plump man stood at the emergency ward entrance.

“Good day, Chief Zheng. We meet again.” The plump man gave Zheng Ren a welcoming smile.

“Good day to you too,” Zheng Ren greeted as he approached the man.

The plump man noted Zheng Ren’s outstretched hand and thought, ‘Chief Zheng isn’t so aloof once you get to know him.’

He raised his hand to accept Zheng Ren’s handshake.

Their hands missed each other by inches. The plump man was stunned.

Zheng Ren reached over and took the bag. “I want the scans.” Then, he turned around and walked into the emergency ward.

The plump man was baffled by his social gaffe.

He was slightly disappointed, but he felt no anger toward the young doctor.

Professionals at the top of their game often behaved this way.

The plump man consoled himself and followed Zheng Ren out.

“Lil Fugui, come take a look at the scans.” Zheng Ren’s voice echoed from the office.

The plump man went into the office and situated himself in a corner to listen in on their conversation.

After Zheng Ren’s first visit to the Secondary Hospital, Professor Rudolf Wagner’s identity was no longer a secret.

Heidelberg University’s top professor, whose main field of research was in interventional surgery, was here in China. The plump man’s image of Professor Rudolf was no longer as pristine as it was before.

The first thought that went through his mind when he thought of the foreign professor was his heavy Northeastern accent.

In the plump man’s mind, the accented Mandarin coupled with his Caucasian features overshadowed whatever academic accomplishments he had. He was truly adapting to the local customs and language.

The professor’s reputation had taken a hit due to the odd Northeastern accent that he had adopted at Sea City General Hospital.

“Sure thing, Boss. How many are there?” the professor asked.

“Four new patients. We’ll try to settle all of them tomorrow.”

“I admire that Chinese efficiency,” Professor Rudolf said.

The plump man smiled at the compliment.

The Secondary Hospital had gone through great lengths to obtain and prepare 16 patients who were eligible for the TIPS procedure.

The professor’s words stroked the plump man’s ego.

“The researchers back home will be getting a mouthful from me when I get home. They’re a reckless bunch. Something always ends up horribly wrong, even when I give clear instructions,” Professor Rudolf grumbled in his Northeastern accent as he moved closer to Zheng Ren to get a better look at the scans.

The plump took some time to digest what the professor had said.

Northeastern slang that locals hardly used littered the professor’s words.

At this point, the plump man felt like the professor was more in-tune with the local language than he was.

He shook his head with dismay.