“Just try your best and don’t be too hard on yourself,” said Old Chief Physician Pan after a few moments of hesitation.
However, before he could finish, Zheng Ren had already returned to the interventional radiology suite, closing the lead door behind him and giving the crowd a smile with crinkled eyes.
It was a genuine smile of trustworthiness rather than bravado.
The surgery resumed.
Zheng Ren reinitiated superselective catheterization. Since the hepatic artery had been superselected, his next target would be the renal artery.
His manipulation remained proficient and stable.
Once the micro-guidewire entered the designated artery, he inserted the microcatheter and obtained an angiographic image. Unfortunately, the renal artery was not the culprit.
The process of elimination was their only option.
After excluding the hepatic artery and the renal artery, Zheng Ren began superselecting the superior mesenteric artery.
Fifteen minutes later, the results were once again disappointing.
Professor Pei and Old Chief Physician Pan’s expressions gradually darkened. One hour had passed and Zheng Ren had spent most of this time exposed to radiation.
‘We should give up now,’ Old Chief Physician Pan thought.
He could make neither head nor tail of interventional radiology, but if Professor Pei from Sorcery Capital could not find fault with Zheng Ren, then this was simply destined.
Not all diseases could be treated.
Intraoperative findings being completely different from preoperative test results in a seemingly simple surgery was a common occurrence in the medical field.
After all, the truth was hidden underneath skin; it was impossible for tests alone to always be consistent with a direct view.
‘If someone must take responsibility in this case, let me be the bad guy.’
Old Chief Physician Pan made up his mind and pressed a button on the intercom.
“Zheng Ren, time’s up,” he said with a heavy heart.
If possible, no one would give up on saving the patient.
However, things did not go their way.
On the battlefield, how many comrades could have been rescued if blood had been transfused in time? How many could have avoided amputation had a sterile operating theater been available?
It was a great idea, but impractical.
It was impossible even for the United States with its tremendous war machine.
There was only so much a man could do.
This…
This was fate!
Old Chief Physician Pan’s words momentarily stunned both Zheng Ren and Su Yun, but instead of giving up on the surgery and leaving the interventional radiology suite, they started exchanging views.
Professor Pei sighed heavily. He had witnessed the same situation countless times and had given up on at least a hundred surgeries in his lifetime.
Who could hold the surgeon responsible when even he could not locate the crucial artery? Besides, even a surgeon would collapse after prolonged radiation exposure, what more the patient?
A few minutes later, the duo in the suite started arguing; even outside observers could detect their hostility through the thick lead door and radiation-shielded glass.
Old Chief Physician Pan immediately stood, opened the lead door and entered the suite.
“What are you guys doing?!” His imperious aura burst out instantly.
“I’m going to try again,” Zheng Ren said calmly, “Su Yun has been exposed to radiation for more than an hour. He should leave now.”
“Who the hell do you think you are?” Had it not been for the fact that Su Yun was wearing a pair of sterile gloves, he would have brushed his bangs aside to express contempt for Zheng Ren.
“I’m the surgeon, so I’ve the right to make the decision,” replied Zheng Ren.
“Do you seriously think—”
“That’s enough!” Old Chief Physician Pan interrupted their argument. Shifting his gaze between the bickering duo and taking note of Zheng Ren’s determination, he said, “Try again. Su Yun, come with me.”
Su Yun could quarrel with and humiliate Zheng Ren with his harsh tongue, but there was absolutely nothing he could say to Old Chief Physician Pan.
Exasperated, he ripped off his sterile surgical gown and tossed it into the biohazard waste bin. Then, like a dejected deserter, he followed Old Chief Physician Pan out of the interventional radiology suite.
His head lowered, the black hair on his forehead danced weakly as the heavy lead door closed.
He removed his lead apron and casually threw it to a corner of the operator’s console room.
The lead apron weighed a few kilograms and made a loud bang upon contact, venting the dissatisfaction in his heart.
Old Chief Physician Pan ignored Su Yun’s childish behavior, expecting such an attitude of youth.
Besides, the surgery was still ongoing. Even if he was going to reprimand the man, he would do so in private after this was over.
The surgery resumed following the calming of the small storm.
Zheng Ren’s movements became slower and more cautious in Su Yun’s absence.
Using the crossed-hands maneuver this time, he restarted superselective catheterization.
“Chief Physician Pan, your doctor is good,” said Professor Pei, whose eyes were glued to the screen.
Old Chief Physician Pan smiled bitterly. The better the surgeon, the more awkward he was in such a situation.
Chang Yue noticed the dark green patch on the back of Su Yun’s surgical attire. Performing surgery in an outfit weighing a few kilograms required both physical and mental strength.
She turned around and left the room before returning with a bottle of water in her hand.
“Thank you,” said Su Yun, who averted his gaze from the feed from the interventional radiology suite as he accepted the water.
Chang Yue wanted to console him, but words failed to leave her quivering lips.
In the suite, Zheng Ren had superselected the hepatic, renal and superior mesenteric arteries, and was currently superselecting the radiculomedullary artery.
It was still incorrect!
Instead of ending the surgery as promised, Zheng Ren began superselection of the next artery.
Old Chief Physician Pan could not help himself. He pressed the intercom button and said sternly, “Zheng Ren, I order you to end the surgery now!”
On the operation table lay Zheng Yunxia, fully aware of everything that had happened as she had been given only local anesthesia via the femoral artery at the base of her thigh.
Upon hearing Old Chief Physician Pan’s words, she suddenly said, “Doctor Zheng, let’s end this now.
“Life and death are fated, and I know I’m doomed. Thank you all so much for your help, I really appreciate it.”
Zheng Ren’s hand froze for a few seconds before he put down the micro-guidewire and microcatheter, saying softly, “Don’t move.”
Then, he left the suite.
“Chief Physician Pan, artery superselection is almost complete,” Zheng Ren said firmly, “If we give up now, everything we’ve done will be for nothing.”
“It has been two hours! Something must have gone wrong somewhere! Who can give me an explanation?!” Enraged, Old Chief Physician Pan was roaring like a fierce lion.
“Doctor Zheng, just do your best and finish the surgery.” Even though Professor Pei was not in the position to order anyone around, he could still give advice.
Zheng Ren shook his head without hesitation and replied, “Chief Physician Pan, let me try again.”
“That’s what you said just now!”
“I’m the surgeon now and I understand the current situation better than anyone,” Zheng Ren said determinedly. “There aren’t many arteries left for me to rule out now. What I can think of at the moment are the short gastric artery and aorta, so it’ll be over soon. Am I right, Professor Pei?”
Professor Pei contemplated it for a while in his wheelchair.
There was pin-drop silence in the operator’s console room.
“Rule out the intercostal arteries as well.” Professor Pei was very careful with his words.
Zheng Ren nodded in response and turned to look at Old Chief Physician Pan.
Old Chief Physician Pan met his gaze for five seconds.
“Three times. I’ll give you three attempts at superselection,” he decided.
