It was impossible for Wu Ting not to be tempted by Shen Guofeng’s invitation.
For an undergraduate student, getting a chance to work in the emergency department of Jinggang University Affiliated First Hospital was a meteoric rise.
However, after calming down, Wu Ting decided to stay at City First Hospital for now. After all, he was gradually finding his footing there. Qin Donglai and Huo Yun trusted him and valued his abilities, and he would slowly get more opportunities to be the lead surgeon.
In particular, Qin Donglai had already told him that he would be allowed to perform appendectomies next.
Compared to basic procedures like suturing, debridement, and incisions, an appendectomy was the first real step toward mastering the craft. For a junior doctor, it was also the perfect introductory Surgical Technique.
There were plenty of surgical opportunities in the emergency department at City First Hospital, but that wouldn’t necessarily be the case at Jinggang University Affiliated First Hospital. Any attending physician there was on par with a chief physician from City First Hospital. They were proud and arrogant; why would they give him so many chances?
Wu Ting decided to take a steady approach. Once he had accumulated enough experience and skill, he would consider developing his career in Xiao City.
"I’m honored by your offer, Professor Shen, but I still have a lot to learn. Once I’ve solidified my fundamentals, I’d love to come to your hospital for study and exchange. I hope you’ll still give me a chance then."
Wu Ting replied humbly.
"Alright. If there’s anything you don’t understand in the field of emergency treatment, feel free to discuss it with me anytime."
Shen Guofeng greatly admired Wu Ting’s tact and propriety. It would be good for him to hone his skills further at City First Hospital. ’Talent will always shine through,’ he mused.
Qin Donglai, who was standing to the side, was lost in thought. ’It seems I’ll have to report this to Director Huo after he gets out of surgery. Wu Ting’s future is limitless.’
When the group arrived at the hospital room, Officer Liu was already fast asleep.
He was finally at peace, knowing the surgery was complete and there was a high probability he would regain function in his arm. He had been pushed to his physical and mental limits, and in that moment, he had completely relaxed and fallen into a deep sleep.
Professor Shen motioned for everyone not to disturb the patient. Following instructions from Lu Xiong and the others, Luo Ming had already administered the standard anticoagulant, antispasmodic, and anti-infective treatments.
Seeing Professor Shen and the others, he gave a detailed report:
"The patient’s peripheral blood circulation is good, and the drainage of accumulated blood in the wound is unobstructed. Next, we just need to remove the drainage strip after 48 hours and change the dressing on schedule."
To promote venous return and reduce swelling, Liu Ping’s affected limb was elevated. He was also required to remain on bed rest for the next few days.
Shen Guofeng thought for a moment, then looked at Luo Ming, the designated scribe.
"From now on, during each dressing change, use thin bandage rolls to separate the index and ring fingers from the middle and little fingers into two groups. Immobilize them at different angles of flexion and extension. At the next dressing change, switch the angles for the two groups. Alternate like this until the cast is removed four weeks post-op."
Professor Shen was very experienced in post-op rehabilitation for severed limbs, and his instructions were the icing on the cake for this surgery.
Luo Ming diligently took notes at the side.
"Because Dr. Wu’s tendon suture was so perfect, the patient can start with a moderate amount of passive finger therapy three weeks post-op. After four weeks, begin a suitable combination of active and passive functional exercises. After six weeks, intensify the functional exercises, progressing step by step."
Professor Shen observed for a while longer, deeply impressed. ’This surgery was truly well done.’
"At this rate, I’m confident Officer Liu will make a full recovery very soon!"
Hearing Professor Shen’s confident judgment once again, Captain Huang was completely relieved.
"In that case, we should head back to Xiao City. There are still many things to take care of in our department."
Seeing that there was nothing more to improve upon with this surgery, Professor Shen prepared to rush back to Xiao City immediately. He was an extremely busy man.
"Professor Shen, thank you so much for coming all this way despite your busy schedule. I didn’t expect the surgery to already be finished. We’ve made you come all this way for nothing. I know you’re busy, so how about this: next time you have more time, I’ll be sure to host you properly."
Dean Tang also had a lot of work to do, so after exchanging a few pleasantries, he also prepared to leave.
"It wasn’t for nothing. I gained a great deal from this trip. Getting to take a recording of such a surgery back with me made it more than worth it. Most importantly, I had the chance to meet a young friend like Dr. Wu."
"Captain Huang, Dean Tang, Director Lu, Dr. Wu, Dr. Qin, Dr. Luo, we’ll be taking our leave now. If there are any post-op questions regarding rehabilitation training for the patient, you can all contact me."
After once again expressing his admiration for Wu Ting, Professor Shen left with a smile.
Dean Tang also committed the name Wu Ting to memory before leaving.
"Dr. Qin, Dr. Wu, Dr. Luo, I’m heading back to my department as well."
The emergency department returned to its normal state. As a second-line doctor, Qin Donglai left the hospital early.
Luo Ming and Wu Ting, however, continued their shift.
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The next day, Huo Yun and Lin Hu completed their major surgery. The entire operation was a great success.
After the twelve-hour-long surgery, the two senior directors were exhausted. They made some arrangements and then went their separate ways.
It wasn’t until the afternoon that Huo Yun returned to the emergency department.
Only then did he learn about the incredible event that had occurred in the emergency department yesterday while he was in the operating room.
Huo Yun carefully watched the surgical recording that had even astounded Professor Shen.
After watching it, Huo Yun was lost in thought for a long time. Finally, an idea came to him.
At the end of the work week, he planned to hold a departmental meeting. In addition to commending Wu Ting and Qin Donglai for the surgery, he was also preparing to announce something big.
While Huo Yun was watching the surgery, on that same day, the recording of this highly educational operation was also being played in the conference rooms of emergency and general surgery departments in various hospitals across Jin Province.
In the emergency department of Bei City First People’s Hospital, Director Jin Yu was also leading his junior doctors in studying the same surgery.
The source of the surgical video was none other than Qin Donglai.
Bei City First People’s Hospital was one of the hospitals where Qin Donglai often "flew the knife."
Jin Yu had always trusted Qin Donglai, but after watching this surgery, he was utterly shaken.
"It seems I’ll have to find an opportunity to specifically invite this Dr. Wu Ting over to perform some surgeries. It would be a good learning experience for our department’s doctors."
As a county-level city among the five counties and two districts under Fan City’s jurisdiction, Bei City’s medical resources and the skill of its doctors couldn’t compare to City First Hospital’s.
This was especially true in the field of emergency surgery, where experts from City First Hospital were often invited to perform many of the important operations.
After watching Wu Ting’s tendon suture surgery, Jin Yu was already planning to establish a long-term collaboration with him.
’I believe this Dr. Wu will become famous in the future and rise to be one of the top surgeons in Jin Province,’ he thought. ’I should take advantage of my close relationship with Qin Donglai to befriend Dr. Wu now. It would establish a partnership with a top-tier surgeon for my department.’
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For the next few days, Wu Ting didn’t admit any new patients. He focused his energy mainly on writing his thesis and on the few patients he had previously admitted.
Soon, the work week drew to a close.
On Friday, Huo Yun specially convened a departmental meeting. During this meeting, he planned to announce something important.