Healing Doctor

Chapter 501 A Few Satirical Words Behind the Scenes

Director Yang didn't say much. Although he didn't think the interventional radiology department could solve the problem smoothly, he also didn't want a 16-year-old girl to have open-heart surgery.

If a thoracic surgeon is involved, even if the thoracoscopic surgery fails and open surgery is required, the surgery itself is not major. The problem lies in the huge surgical scar.

Since we're already here, and there's no danger to our lives, there's no harm in giving it a try.

We consulted with Dr. Li Ming, the director of the interventional radiology department. After reviewing the patient's imaging data, he pondered for a long time.

"Director Li, do you think it can be done?" Director Yang asked.

"Give it a try. I've removed similar tracheal foreign bodies before, some successfully and some unsuccessfully," said Director Li. "Similar to the patient's case, we were the only ones to step in after the bronchoscopy by the respiratory department failed."

"Just tell me if it's okay or not."

"Give it a try, this is difficult."

Director Li looked at the film and said something that was both expected and reasonable.

It's not appendicitis, nor is it the liver cancer interventional embolization that Director Li routinely performs; who knows if it will work?

Without much hesitation, Director Li and Director Zhang of the Thoracic Surgery Department discussed going to the hybrid operating room in the General Surgery Department to try interventional surgery first. If that failed, they would proceed with open-chest surgery.

The staple is in the right main bronchus; it won't come out for no reason. Surgery is inevitable; the question is whether it can be removed without damage.

The thoracic surgeons escorted the patient upstairs, and Director Li pulled Director Yang aside for a smoke.

"Director Yang, why don't you see Dr. Ji Xiang?"

Director Yang was taken aback.

He stared intently at Li Ming, trying to discern whether Li Ming's words were a joke or a serious statement.

"What kind of look is that? I'm telling the truth," said Director Li Ming. "You've seen the third episode, right? A lot of people asked me about the intraoperative communication. Let me tell you, to be honest, Dr. Ji Xiang's skill level is actually a notch above mine."

"Really? To be honest, I didn't quite understand it."

"I said that during the interview."

"I thought you were just being polite," Director Yang shrugged.

"You're too kind, I was just joking," Director Li said. "I was just telling the truth."

"This isn't like you. You're the type who's stubborn to the end," Director Yang joked.

"You won't know Ji Xiang's skill level until you've performed interventional surgery. There's an old saying, 'It's a sin to disrespect a master,'" Director Li Ming said calmly. "It's true, Ji Xiang's skill level is very high. To be honest, I also have my doubts. How did he train to that level? Can you really reach that level in just one year of interventional surgery?"

"Is Ji Xiang's teacher very capable?" Director Yang asked.

"I asked around, and the interventional radiology department at Baiyi University has basically been emptied out. Back then, there were four doctors who were good at surgery and were known as the Four Great Warriors. Later, three of them went to the south," Director Li said. "The remaining one is the oldest, and his skill level is just so-so."

Director Yang found it strange, so he told Li Ming what had just happened on his end.

"Actually, I acknowledge that his technical skills are high," Director Yang said. "But Director Li, you said that the most difficult thing in clinical practice is communicating with patients. Ji Xiang first persuaded a patient that I couldn't even handle, and yesterday he subtly resolved a dispute."

"Indeed, that's a bit puzzling," Director Li said, frowning. "I've seen talented young doctors before, but that's all on the operating table. Off the operating table, they always have some issues with handling relationships with patients. The more talented they are, the more arrogant they become, and their approach to patient relationships is very stiff."

"It takes time to hone your skills, but Ji Xiang... is so slick that even I can't keep up with him," Director Yang added.

"Who knows? It's none of our business."

Director Yang looked at Li Ming and suddenly a wicked smile appeared on his face.

"What kind of expression is that?"

"Li Ming, tell me the truth, what exactly do you mean by praising Ji Xiang in front of the camera?"

Director Li, realizing his little scheme had been exposed, laughed heartily.

"Are you afraid to offend Boss Qin, so you're pushing Ji Xiang forward?"

"Your words are a bit malicious. Let me tell you, Director Yang, it's better to see through things than to say them outright, because saying them outright will leave you with no friends." Li Ming smiled and said calmly, "Everyone is talking about making money through harmony. How Boss Qin performs the surgery is up to the local hospital's situation. It would be inappropriate for me to say anything."

"Then why don't you confront Dr. Xiao Ji?" Director Yang asked jokingly.

"I don't like hearing what you said. I didn't say anything." Li Ming pouted. "Back then, I saw Dr. Ji pointing his finger at Qin Chu and yelling at him. Old Yang, you didn't see it. Even now, I still dream about that scene occasionally."

"..."

"How should I put it? When I saw Ji Xiang, it was like seeing the old director. I was really afraid that this kid would scold me for doing something wrong."

"And then?" Director Yang recalled his brief exchange with Ji Xiang and found it hard to understand Li Ming's true thoughts.

"I've worked with him on two surgeries. He has a very gentle temperament and is incredibly kind. It was during the embolization of the superior mesenteric artery that he suggested that he could do a superselective surgery. He asked very politely, and I even felt that he was pleading a bit."

You know, it's like a resident begging you, the head of the department, to let him stitch up their skin. Sometimes, I really don't understand Dr. Ji Xiang.

Director Yang pondered.

"However, it turns out that Dr. Ji was able to complete the surgery successfully." Li Ming sighed. "I'm not trying to flatter Dr. Ji to death; I just don't like Boss Qin, so I'm praising Dr. Ji while subtly criticizing Boss Qin. I wouldn't dare to criticize him to his face, but I certainly have the guts to say a few sarcastic remarks behind his back."

"You."

"I'm a coward. I wouldn't dare to confront Boss Qin when school starts. He has his own standing in the industry, so it's fine if we just keep to ourselves. But Xiao Ji dares to do it, and if he does, what's wrong with me praising him a bit?"

From now on, whenever school starts, I'll treat Ji Xiang like my senior, even in front of Qin Chu.

Director Yang understood Li Mingxin's ulterior motives perfectly well, and after thinking it over, it seemed that what he had done was not too excessive.

"Director Li, do you think you can remove the staples?"

"It's unlikely," Director Li said honestly. "Let's give it a try. Anyway, the thoracic surgery department is there, and the chest tube has been administered, so there's no risk of tension pneumothorax. As long as the person is alright, I'll give it a shot. If it works, that would be the best outcome."

"What if we replace him with Ji Xiang?" Director Yang asked another probing question.

But Director Li Ming didn't mince words and said directly, "If it were Ji Xiang as the practitioner, I think he would be fine."

Director Yang found it hard to believe that Li Ming would give Ji Xiang such a high evaluation.

He vaguely recalled that Ji Xiang had diagnosed the patient's gastrointestinal bleeding the previous night by rubbing the titanium clips against the duodenal bulb, and had helped resolve the problem in advance.

All of this made him feel that Ji Xiang was not like an intern at all.

(End of this chapter)