Chapter 123: Surgical Trials and Unexpected Lessons

Before long, a new surgical patient was wheeled into the operating room.

Today, Zhou Can was the sole trainee present – no need for any further tests on him.

Dr. He took the initiative to display the patient’s test results on the projection screen.

“The patient underwent surgery for an arm fracture with two steel pins placed early last year. Judging from the recovery, the fracture has healed well, and now the pins need to be removed.”

Dr. Shan proceeded to introduce the patient’s condition.

Normally, surgeries are scheduled well in advance in the operating room.

By now, the chief surgeon, assistants, and nurses all knew the day’s schedule.

Removing the bone’s internal fixation isn’t particularly difficult.

But the risks involved are significant.

Any misstep or premature removal might trigger a re-fracture or infection – a very real danger.

The patient was quickly brought in.

The steel pins at the right elbow needed to be removed.

Dr. Shan performed the operation with utmost caution.

Even after multiple checks, she conducted additional tests and inquiries before determining the pins could be safely removed, then began the procedure.

Zhou Can naturally accepted the anesthetic needle prepared by the nurse and administered four injections in the patient’s right armpit.

The puncture site for brachial plexus anesthesia isn’t fixed.

It’s chosen based on the specific needs of the surgery.

Sometimes the injection is made above or below the collarbone or in the deltopectoral groove.

The aim is simple: to block nerve conduction in the arm.

In fact, painkillers work similarly by interrupting nerve signals.

Many people suffer unbearable pain yet refuse painkillers, misled by online ‘misinformation’ claiming they harm the body and cause side effects.

They even say it can make you dull and stupid.

Such claims are completely unfounded.

With the correct dosage, these drugs hardly cause any so-called ‘side effects.’

In ancient times, Guan Yu underwent bone scraping for detox without anesthetic—joking and even playing chess during Hua Tuo’s procedures. Perhaps such toughness was real, but it’s more likely that ancient anesthetics were still rudimentary.

He wouldn’t dare take them.

Modern people really have no reason to endure Guan Yu’s suffering.

Some pains can literally knock you out.

Zhou Can’s injection technique, at the attending level, works faster and more effectively.

“Dr. Shan! Anesthesia is successful. Let’s begin the operation.”

“Mm!”

She nodded slightly.

The nurse re-disinfected the surgical area with professional precision.

The incision site and the positions of the pins were clearly marked on the patient’s arm.

Dr. Shan deftly made a small incision while Zhou Can seamlessly managed the bleeding. In that moment, only a layer of skin separated the bone from view.

Even the metal steel pins were visible.

Throughout the procedure, she worked with utmost care.

Zhou Can stood by to help, absorbing many lessons in the process.

There were two steel pins in total.

They removed one first to ensure the bone had healed firmly before safely extracting the other.

Sometimes, for safety’s sake, doctors remove internal fixators in multiple sessions.

“Leave the suturing to you!”

After successfully removing both pins, Dr. Shan was visibly exhausted.

Thankfully, Zhou Can’s assistance ensured everything went smoothly.

“No problem.”

Zhou Can replied, clearly pleased.

He never missed a chance to gain additional medical experience.

For such a tiny incision, he finished the debridement and suturing within minutes.

Having performed numerous Level 1 surgeries in the Emergency Department, his skills were exceptionally honed.

When it came to speed, few could match his pace.

“Wow, Dr. Zhou, your suturing skills are incredible – both fast and flawless!”

She couldn’t help but praise him.

“Actually, my anatomical skills aren’t too shabby either. Just waiting for a chance to prove it!”

Zhou Can’s humility was already remarkable.

After all, he had already achieved Level 3 in several medical fields.

“I’ll keep an eye out for an opportunity!”

She left her sentence hanging.

According to operating room safety rules, interns are not permitted to perform procedures that risk patient safety – they only observe.

They must stick to the sidelines.

Trainees, however, are allowed to perform tasks like punctures and skin suturing.

To actually operate on a patient, one generally needs to be a senior resident to even get a rare chance.

Dr. Shan easing up even slightly was a huge vote of confidence in Zhou Can.

After the pin removal patient was sent out, a nurse at the second door asked, “Dr. Shan, a child with a dislocated arm has just arrived. Can we prioritize him?”

Every hospital has its own system of favors.

For example, a nurse might help a child skip the queue either through personal connections or because the child has influential backing.

“For an arm dislocation, you should send him to the manual reduction room!”

Dr. Shan didn’t directly refuse.

For most dislocations, unless they are extremely severe and require surgery, manual reduction is sufficient.

This is a basic skill for any orthopedist.

“They’re off duty, and the next available slot is at 2 PM. This child’s grandfather works at the Health Bureau and personally brought him in. You see…”

The nurse’s words clearly hinted at the situation.

This child was the grandson of a high-ranking official.

For Tuyu Hospital, titles like the director’s carry weight – ordinary Health Bureau officials rarely match up to that level.

But in the eyes of a low-level nurse, even a regular staff member at the Health Bureau is considered a leader.

In reality, if you can climb to the grandfather’s level, you might at least end up as a department head.

“Since he is the grandson of a superior, he deserves special treatment. Leaders are too busy to wait until 2 PM! Luckily, I’m not swamped right now – bring the child in!”

Dr. Shan immediately changed her tone.

Zhou Can couldn’t help but be impressed – today was a real learning experience.

No matter how proud a doctor is, when dealing with high officials, everyone behaves similarly.

At most, the degree of flattery might differ slightly.

The child was quickly brought into the operating room, followed by his grandfather through the front door.

The grandfather was a sprightly old man with a full head of white hair.

“Excuse me, which one is Dr. Shan?”

“That would be me! Hello!”

Dr. Shan lowered her stance.

“My name is Qiu Jianye. I work at the West District Health Bureau. If you ever need anything there, you’re welcome to come by my office for tea!” The old man had clearly gleaned from the nurses who the highest-ranking doctor in the OR was before arriving.

He didn’t mention his own title or even state his department.

Others might not notice, but Zhou Can thought this man seemed rather unimpressive.

He was far from a major leader.

At best, he was a deputy section chief – or even lower – in a department with little real power.

“Alright, thank you! I’ll begin treating your grandson now, and you can have a seat outside the operating room for a while.”

She spoke with polite deference.

It was clearly a way to usher him out without directly telling him to leave.

Instead, she kindly invited him to rest in the waiting area outside.

This approach made him feel cared for rather than slighted.

Once the old man had left, Dr. Shan reviewed the child’s X-rays.

“The situation isn’t too serious. It’s just a shoulder dislocation that, once reduced, only requires suspension with a bandage around the neck for three or four weeks.”

After examining the images, she reached her diagnosis.

“How old are you, kid?”

“Six!”

The child’s brief answer revealed a gap where a front tooth was missing.

Looking at his teeth, they were all discolored with severe cavities.

He must have eaten a lot of sweets.

Excessive sweets can lead to fragile bones and poor health.

This makes children more prone to fractures and dislocations.

“Does your arm hurt a lot?”

“Mm! It really hurts!”

He bit his lip, tears welling in his eyes.

“It might hurt a bit when we reduce it, but once the pain subsides, you’ll be all better. You’re a brave little man – can you handle it?”

Dr. Shan tried to bolster the child’s courage.

“I can!”

Kids are naturally honest and fearless.

Once praised for bravery, they truly show it.

“Dr. Zhou, please come from behind and support his shoulder.”

“Got it!”

Zhou Can stepped in from behind and supported the child’s right shoulder.

The boy was even more fragile than expected – very light.

Nowadays, overly indulgent parents spoil their children with junk food.

In the long run, this can only harm them.

Dr. Shan grasped the child’s arm firmly, first relaxing his muscles.

Then she slowly rotated his arm.

“Hey kid, do you go to school?”

“I’m in an upper kindergarten class!”

“Wow, so you’re one of the big kids? No wonder you’re so brave! What does your grandpa do?”

“My teacher always says I’m great! My grandpa… uh, he works in AIDS prevention… oh, ow… oooh, it hurts!” As the boy was only halfway through his reply, Dr. Shan found the right spot and forcefully pushed and pressed upward.

Using a refined technique.

Zhou Can heard a dull ‘crack’.

He knew the shoulder had been successfully set.

The sudden, intense pain during the reduction made the ‘brave’ boy cry out.

Tears streamed down his face.

Judging by his words, his grandfather worked in the AIDS Prevention Department at the Health Bureau.

No wonder he personally intervened and made sure Dr. Shan expedited things.

If it were a high-ranking official, one phone call would have sufficed.

【Congratulations! You have unlocked the Bone Setting skill – a technique to properly realign displaced fractures and repair soft tissue injuries, restoring joint movement.】

Zhou Can was only assisting, yet he unexpectedly learned a new medical skill.

Throughout the procedure, he grasped the proper method for shoulder reduction.

At the very least, he now had a clear, complete mental blueprint of the procedure.

Mastering Bone Setting is highly prized in orthopedics.

Even if one knew nothing else, a daily stint in the manual reduction room could secure a lifetime career.

“Bring the bandages over here!”

After successfully reducing the shoulder dislocation, Dr. Shan applied a bandage to suspend the joint from the neck.

Once treated, patients must avoid lifting heavy objects or making sudden movements for a while.

Otherwise, the shoulder might dislocate again.

Those street performers, tossing their arms around casually, often experience recurrent dislocations.

Frequent dislocations can lead to a habitually unstable shoulder.

Many start practicing from a young age to achieve the desired performance effect.

Since an arm dislocation is excruciating, no child would willingly practice it – usually, acrobatic troupe leaders forcibly dislocate the arm to elicit audience sympathy and garner extra tips.

This is indeed a cruel practice.

It should be condemned.

Just as beggars exploiting disabled children for sympathy are often orchestrated by traffickers, deliberately harming children to scam donations.

Such despicable acts must be resisted – we must not be misled by those without scruples.

“Alright, remember, don’t remove this for a month!”

Dr. Shan patted the little boy’s head.

“Oooh… okay!”

He continued to sniffle.

Perhaps feeling a bit embarrassed, he held back his tears instead of breaking into full-blown sobs.

The little boy was just too adorable.

Everyone couldn’t help but smile.

Dr. Shan didn’t personally see him out or explain aftercare to his grandfather – she delegated those tasks to the nurse, having decided that once his identity was clear, her courtesy would only go so far.

It showed she valued the gesture but wouldn’t stoop too low.

After all, the grandfather was elderly with little chance of promotion and his department offered minimal assistance.

In such matters, everyone is rather pragmatic.

Besides, Tuyu Hospital’s attending doctors aren’t as low-ranking as one might think.

For a promising attending like her, her rank was even higher.

Before long, Dr. Tang and the others returned from lunch.

It was then Zhou Can’s turn for a meal.

Doctors in the operating room truly lead a hard life.

Usually, the only break they get is during meals for a quick restroom visit.

After a morning in the Orthopedics operating room, Zhou Can gained invaluable experience.

Not only did he earn Dr. Shan’s trust, but he also learned a new medical skill.

Dr. Shan then led the three of them to the cafeteria.

Once outside the operating room, Dr. Shan shed her professional airs.

“Dr. Zhou, you look so young. Did you join Tuyu’s trainee program right after your internship?”

She asked with genuine curiosity.

Dr. He and the nurse Wang Xiaohong listened nearby.

“I studied at Tuyu Medical University and interned at Tuyu Hospital. After graduating, I was lucky enough to pass Tuyu’s trainee recruitment exam on my first try.”

Zhou Can recalled the challenging experience of competing for a trainee spot, and it still felt like a hard-earned achievement.

Without the experience system, our eight-person dorm would have been wiped out.

Tuyu’s general trainee program is truly difficult to pass.

“Passing the exam on the first attempt and becoming the top trainee – can that really be called luck?”

Dr. He’s face twitched momentarily.

“Hehe!”

Wang Xiaohong let out a soft snicker.

Although usually quiet, she had spoken barely a word all morning except for essential communications.

Yet her professional skills were remarkable – meticulous and conscientious.

She outshone every surgical nurse in the Emergency Department.

Even senior nurse Liu Xia, Tang Ling, and Qiao Yu couldn’t match her expertise.

Qiao Yu, with only two or three years on the job, seemed poised to overtake her soon.

This showed that in a strong department, not only do the doctors excel, but the nurses are top-notch too.

“So, you joined the trainee program straight after your internship? That means you’ve only been in the Emergency Department for three months? How did you hone your skills in hemostasis, suturing, and puncturing? You’re amazing!”

Dr. Shan was utterly stunned after hearing Zhou Can’s journey.

“I simply loved the field, so I practiced whenever I could. During my three months in the Emergency Department trainee program, I had a great teacher who offered ample hands-on opportunities. That’s how my skills improved so rapidly.”

Of course, Zhou Can never mentioned the experience points system.

His rapid progress was truly thanks to Dr. Xu’s extensive surgical opportunities.

Countless operations played a major role in shaping Zhou Can.

“I also did a trainee rotation in the Emergency Department. The operating room there was modest with fewer surgeries. Your growth in just three months is truly impressive.”

Dr. Shan, always proud, sincerely admired Zhou Can from the bottom of her heart.

Little did she know that thanks to contributions from both Zhou Can and Jin Mingxi, the number of surgeries in the Emergency Department had surged by over a thousand per month.

Even Director Xie couldn’t help but feel envious of the volume.

Soon, the group arrived at the cafeteria on the second floor.

They met a few people leaving after lunch as they crossed paths.

“Hey, Dr. Du, you’re having a late lunch today, huh!”

Dr. Shan greeted the leading young doctor with a smile.

Zhou Can kept his head down – it was such a small world.

He hadn’t expected to run into Du Leng here.

Seeing Du Leng surrounded by doctors and nurses – clearly thriving in the Surgical Department – was impressive.

After all, he was a returning PhD.

Even if not a postdoc, his resume was already outstanding.

Dr. Shan, a promising orthopedics attending, even accompanied him with a friendly smile – a testament to Du Leng’s high status in surgery.

“There was a super challenging major consultation surgery in Cardiothoracic Surgery today. I was pulled in, and after lengthy discussions with several chiefs and associate chief physicians, we finally settled on a plan. That’s why I was a bit late.”

Du Leng’s every word dripped with boastfulness.

Which trainee could ever qualify to participate in such high-level consultations? Even if they did, they’d only be there as observers.

But Du Leng participated as a full consultation member.

That was really impressive.

A wry smile tugged at Zhou Can’s lips as he recalled Du Leng’s overly theoretical approach in the Emergency Department.

Though his medical theory was advanced, his lack of practical experience had ultimately backfired.

Du Leng caught that subtle expression perfectly.

The moment the two groups met, Du Leng immediately spotted Zhou Can trailing behind Dr. Shan.

He had just boasted a couple of times, and while everyone else looked in awe, Zhou Can – that scoundrel – allowed a barely noticeable smirk.

Du Leng clearly knew exactly what Zhou Can was laughing at.

Recalling that consultation in the resuscitation room, he grew furious.

That had been the most humiliating moment of his life.