Tokyo, 1994, starting with medical training

Chapter 64 Imperial Concubine

Kazusuke Kiryu casually pulled out a newly published book, "Bone Fracture Treatment".

Turning to the copyright page, the publication date is 1993.

It's very new.

He quickly browsed the table of contents and some chapters.

First, there is the basic theory of trauma orthopedics.

The theories of the AO (Internal Fixation Research Society) have established a dominant position in this era.

The three principles of firm fixation, anatomical reduction, and early mobilization are widely accepted.

However, the specific equipment is still very outdated.

Actually, that's not quite accurate. This backwardness is relative to later generations.

The steel plates described in the book are mostly ordinary dynamic pressure steel plates (DCP) or limited contact dynamic pressure steel plates (LC-DCP).

As for the later popular Locking Pressure Plate (LCP), it was only mentioned as a concept and was still in the clinical trial stage.

Kazusuke Kiryu picked up another book about arthroscopy.

Atlas of Arthroscopic Surgery.

Upon opening it, the images inside were remarkably clear.

Arthroscopic technology is still in its early stages.

For example, the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction technique described in the book still uses the transtibial tunnel technique.

Although this technique is simple to perform, it is difficult to place the graft on the original anatomical attachment point, resulting in insufficient rotational stability of the knee joint after surgery.

Moreover, it uses single-beam reconstruction.

The mainstream approach in later generations was anatomical reconstruction, or even double-bundle reconstruction.

As for meniscus repair, the inside-out technique, which requires cutting open the posterior joint capsule, is still in use, resulting in significant trauma and high risk.

Internal suture device?

Sorry, it hasn't been invented yet.

However, endoscopic surgery of small joints such as the shoulder, hip, and wrist joints is only described in brief, exploratory words.

This is the blue ocean.

Minimally invasive procedures are the absolute trend in the future of orthopedics.

Right now, everyone is still competing to see who can make the biggest incision and who can expose the most skin.

Twenty years later, the competition is about who can complete the surgery through just a few small holes.

And now we are on the eve of a transition.

Many concepts have already taken shape, but due to limitations in the development of materials science and optical technology, they have not yet been implemented.

Kazusuke Kiryu then walked to the periodicals section.

On the shelf are this issue of JBJS (Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery) and CORR (Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research).

These are all top journals in the field of orthopedics.

He picked up a book and flipped through a few pages at random.

There is a paper on the treatment of femoral neck fractures, which discusses the advantages and disadvantages of compression screws and sliding hip screws.

The author used a large amount of data to demonstrate the superiority of a certain technique.

But these discussions will all be common sense ten years from now.

However, Kiryu Kazusuke also knew that being half a step ahead was genius, but being a full step ahead was madness.

If he were to propose concepts like 3D-printed skeletons or surgical robots now, the professor would probably suggest he see a psychiatric doctor.

He spent the entire day in the bookstore.

Like a sponge, it greedily absorbs the information of this era and compares and integrates it with the knowledge of later generations in its mind.

……

November 28th, Wednesday.

Today is the "Royal Day," which is the last working day of the year for government offices and most businesses.

This is an extremely important time in Japan.

Starting tomorrow, the entire country will enter a week-long New Year holiday, and will not resume normal operations until January 4.

Kazusuke Kiryu was walking on his way to the Gunma University School of Medicine Hospital.

The atmosphere on the street was noticeably more restless than usual.

"Mensong" (door pine branches) have been placed in front of the shops along the roadside. These decorations, made of pine branches and bamboo, are meant to welcome the New Year god.

There are also shops that hang "shimenawa" (a type of scepter), which are used to ward off evil spirits and disasters.

Pedestrians hurried along, most carrying New Year's goods or beautifully packaged gift boxes.

When I arrived at the hospital, the outpatient hall was packed with people.

Everyone wants to get all their medication before the holiday or get rid of any minor ailments to avoid having to go to the emergency room during the Lunar New Year.

"Excuse me! Please make way!"

The nurse pushed the wheelchair through the crowd, calling out anxiously.

Kiryu Kazusuke avoided the crowd and headed towards the elevator.

Upon entering the First Surgical Department, one sees the office filled with all sorts of gift boxes.

This is called "controlling the year's end".

Even though everyone is saying they don't have money, no one dares to skimp on these face-saving projects to maintain interpersonal relationships.

Pharmaceutical representatives, medical device companies, affiliated hospitals, and junior doctors hoping to secure better positions in next year's personnel reshuffles all send gifts at this time.

Some contained premium whiskey, some contained shopping vouchers from department stores, and some were simply stuffed into thick envelopes.

"This was a gift from Takeda Pharmaceutical; it's in the professor's cabinet."

"This was a gift from the director of Kawada Hospital; I've put it aside separately."

"You guys can share these ordinary beers and seaweed."

Mizutani Hikaru was directing several medical trainees in classifying the cases, his face glowing.

He probably felt very satisfied with the feeling of wielding power when he could order around the trainees in the medical bureau.

"Kiryu, you're here."

"Perfect timing, we're short-handed here. You can move these things to the professor's car."

He waved to Kiryu Kazusuke when he saw him.

"understood."

Kiryu Kazusuke put down his bag, walked over, and picked up two cases of Ebisu beer that looked quite heavy.

This is the year-end work for medical trainees.

"Good morning, Kiryu-kun."

Kenji Tanaka came over, carrying a box of some kind of local specialty, which he guessed was going to load into the professor's car.

Have you heard?

"Nonsense, I've only just arrived at the clinic, what could I possibly know?"

"Oh right, you didn't go to work yesterday. It was because of tonight's year-end party. I heard it's going to be held at Matsuno's house."

"Matsuno's family?"

Kazusuke Kiryu was no stranger to this name; it was the oldest and most prestigious restaurant in Maebashi City.

It is said that the average cost per person for a meal is at least 3 yen, and it is a membership-only event, so ordinary people can't even get a reservation.

"Yes, it seems to have been arranged by Representative Okawara, as a way to thank our department."

"I've never been to a place like that before in my entire life."

"I heard there will also be geisha performances."

Kenji Tanaka looked excited, his mouth practically watering.

Kazusuke Kiryu nodded noncommittally.

This high-profile banquet, ostensibly to thank the department, was actually to thank the professor and a few core members.

The medical trainee went there purely to create a lively atmosphere and pour drinks.

The two carried their belongings toward the parking lot.

Inside the elevator, Kenji Tanaka was still going on and on about the evening's menu.

"I hope there will be pufferfish dishes; pufferfish are fattest in winter."

"Oh, right, Kiryu-kun, I have some bad news for you."

"This year, you and I will be on duty together during the Spring Festival, from December 30th to December 31st, you know?"

The topic suddenly shifted to this.

Kenji Tanaka looked bitter.

The trip lasted two days and two nights.

Kiryu Kazusuke was not surprised at all.

Even when he entered the hospital, he hadn't had time to look at the duty roster.

It would be truly strange if they left basic medical supplies unused and instead had senior doctors on duty.

(End of this chapter)