Tokyo, 1994, starting with medical training

Chapter 52 Elective Surgery

One o'clock in the afternoon.

After lunch break, the doctors in the First Surgical Department got busy.

Kazusuke Kiryu walked to the whiteboard by the wall.

The book was filled with the week's surgical schedule, with the names of the surgeons, assistants, and patients distinguished by black and red markers.

At university hospitals, surgeries are mainly divided into two categories.

One type is emergency surgery, which is a race against death. There are no rules, and no one cares who comes first or last. They just do it as soon as they arrive.

The other option is elective surgery.

Every Thursday morning after the hospital's routine meeting, the professor, along with two assistant professors, would review all the submitted surgical plans. Those that were approved would be stamped and scheduled, while those that were not approved would be returned directly.

Only after passing the review can a patient's name be eligible to appear on this whiteboard.

This is the main part of the daily operation of the medical bureau, and also the place where rent-seeking and interpersonal relationships are most concentrated.

The professor's surgery was scheduled for the prime time, which was 9 a.m.

The assistant professor's surgery followed immediately.

Surgeries performed by lecturers and specialists are usually scheduled for the afternoon, or during those less desirable time slots.

As for specialists like Takikawa Takuhei, they can only take turns performing surgeries when there's only spare time left, or when professors don't want to do it, assistant professors are too lazy to do it, or specialists don't have time.

There were quite a few surgeries this week.

Although Professor Nishimura rarely performs surgeries on stage, many surgeries are performed under her name, but the actual procedures are performed by lecturers or senior specialists.

Professor Mizutani's surgeries are mostly hip replacements or spinal surgeries.

These surgical instruments are expensive, and the kickbacks are substantial.

Kazusuke Kiryu found the name Imagawa Ori.

Normally, as a model worker in the medical department, her name occupies almost a third of the whiteboard; she is a surgical machine in the hospital.

But this week, her surgical volume was cut in half.

Moreover, the remaining surgeries are relatively routine medium-sized surgeries such as "open reduction and reduction of clavicle fracture" and "internal fixation of tibial plateau fracture".

There is no such thing as a highly complex reconstructive surgery that requires standing on the platform for more than ten hours.

After a little thought, I understood the reason.

It is estimated that Professor Nishimura used an administrative order to specifically reduce Imagawa's clinical workload so that she could have more time to write her thesis.

But it's not a big problem.

As previously agreed, he could take the stage within three months, provided Kiryu and Keigo agreed.

This afternoon, she has a surgery scheduled in operating room number 2.

[Surgery Name: Open Reduction and Internal Fixation for Right Tibial Plateau Fracture]

[Chief Surgeon: Imagawa Ori]

[First Assistant: Tanaka Kenji]

Not all surgeries require two assistants. For this level of surgery, one person is enough to help stop the bleeding and cut the sutures.

If a second assistantship must be arranged, it would probably be for medical students to study in the back.

Kenji Tanaka joined the medical school a year earlier than Kazusuke Kiryu. Although he wasn't a full-time medical student yet, he was considered a veteran in the medical department.

Assigning him as an assistant for this moderately difficult surgery is both a training opportunity and in accordance with regulations.

"Kiryu-kun."

The sound of high heels came from behind.

Imagawa Ori stood beside him, holding a can of coffee she had just bought from a vending machine.

"I have a tibial plateau fracture surgery at 3 p.m.

She glanced at the arrangement on the whiteboard, which stated that the first assistant was Kenji Tanaka.

"If you want to go up and be the first assistant, I can let Tanaka go down."

"Should you talk to him, or should I?"

As she spoke, she took a sip of her coffee.

As for whether Kenji Tanaka, who was temporarily replaced, will feel disappointed or aggrieved, and therefore have any complaints?

Just make sure she doesn't hear it.

Kazusuke Kiryu glanced at Kenji Tanaka, who was standing not far away with his head down.

This senior colleague has been with the clinic for over a year. Although he's a bit of a gossip and likes to chat, he helped Kiryu Kazusuke a lot when he first joined the clinic.

I told him where there were free lunch boxes and which head nurse had a bad temper.

He treated this younger generation very well.

In preparation for this surgery, Kenji Tanaka has been studying anatomical atlases whenever he has free time since arriving at the clinic today.

"No."

Kazusuke Kiryu shook his head.

It's unnecessary to steal the opportunity that Kenji Tanaka had worked so hard for, just for a surgery that doesn't require much technical skill.

Imagawa Ori glanced at him with some surprise.

She originally thought that Kiryu Kazusuke would seize every opportunity, like a bloodthirsty shark that would chase after blood without hesitation.

Even a tibia surgery on the lower leg is a rare opportunity for a resident physician.

Are you sure?

"Since it's already been arranged, let Tanaka-senpai go."

"what ever."

Imagawa Ori shrugged indifferently.

Anyway, it doesn't matter to her who her assistant is, as long as they don't cause her trouble.

After saying that, she turned and left.

Meanwhile, Kazusuke Kiryu was still looking at the whiteboard.

[Surgery Name: Open Reduction and Internal Fixation for Bimalleolar Fractures of the Ankle]

[Surgeon: Takuhei Takikawa]

[First Assistant: Kiryu Kazusuke]

Bimalleolar fracture, which is a fracture of both the medial and lateral malleoli, is commonly known as a broken ankle.

This was an introductory surgery that was scheduled last week.

For a doctor of Imagawa's caliber, it's something he could probably do with his eyes closed.

Even though Takikawa Takuhei has been specializing in medicine for several years, he rarely has the opportunity to perform surgeries because he is not very skilled with his hands.

This time, the patient was a former patient he had treated before, and the professor only agreed to see him because the patient specifically requested him.

The decision to appoint Kiryu Kazusuke as Ichisuke was probably based on his recent display of stability.

It means that it can provide a safety net.

……

3:50 PM, changing area of ​​the operating room.

Takikawa Takuhei is scrubbing his hands.

He looked a little nervous, and he gripped the brush so hard that his skin turned red.

He has been a medical student for five years, but the opportunity to perform surgery independently is very rare.

Every time he goes on stage, it's a major test for him.

If I do well, I might be able to make a good impression on the professor before next year's specialized medical exam.

If I mess up... no, no, I can't mess up again.

"Good afternoon, Takikawa-senpai."

Kazusuke Kiryu walked in, picked up a brush, and stood by the pool.

"Oh, Kiryu-kun."

Takikawa Takuhei visibly relaxed when he saw him.

"I'm counting on you to perform this surgery."

"This patient's lateral malleolus was severely shattered, and it appears to be a spiral fracture line."

"The distal fibula is a bone-covered area where the metal plate is not properly placed, which can easily lead to skin flap necrosis."

"I'm a little unsure about restoring my fibula length..."

By outlining the difficulties first, you'll have an excuse if he's slow or makes a small mistake.

In addition, this is also a way of indirectly asking Kiryu Kazusuke for help.

"Don't worry, Takikawa-senpai."

"I've seen all the movies."

"Although the fibula is a bit broken, the main anatomical landmarks are still there. As long as the lateral malleolus is fixed first, the medial malleolus will be much easier."

"I'll be right there beside you, you can just do it without worry."

Kiryu Kazusuke's words not only gave his senior face but also put his mind at ease.

"That's good."

Takikawa Takuhei nodded, and his previously tense shoulders relaxed a little.

The two said nothing more.

In the mirror, Takikawa Takuhei was scrubbing his hands while muttering to himself, probably reciting the surgical procedures.

Kazusuke Kiryu did not disturb him.

He didn't have any ill feelings towards people like Takikawa Takuhei.

Although mediocre, timid, and sometimes likes to put on airs like a senior.

But at least they have self-awareness.

(End of this chapter)