Chapter 84: Chapter 0082 – Submission
The approach is open, the surgery is only halfway complete, let’s continue.
For top experts, the difficulty of this surgery lies in gaining access. Doctor Zhong should also be able to complete the following reduction and fixation, the only differences being speed and quality.
They started with the anterior acetabular fracture fixation. The surgeon’s proficiency was not just versed but masterly—making the highly difficult surgery appear extremely simple and effortless.
Next were the iliac wing fracture, sacral fracture, sacroiliac joint dislocation, pubic bone fracture, and finally, the pubic symphysis.
All the numerous reductions and fixations, one after another, were smooth and coordinated with a clear rhythm, and there were no stoppages even for a few minutes.
Even when dealing with the tricky bleeding from the presacral venous plexus during sacral fracture and sacroiliac joint dislocation, the precision of the bipolar coagulation was very high, as accurate as a moving target shooter, hitting the mark every time.
Horizontal, vertical, diagonal—every steel plate adhered well, forming a robust and solid fixation of the dislocated fracture.
The whole process was pleasing to the eye and highly watchable. If a surgery has a certain viewer appeal, it’s not just about successfully completing the surgery—it’s a comprehensive demonstration of superior surgical skills, a sense of speed, smoothness, rhythm, perfection in details, and more.
Doctor Zhong’s forehead was covered in sweat. To prevent the sweat from dropping and contaminating the surgical field, the circulating nurse had to remind him several times before he heard and turned his head to let the nurse wipe his sweat off.
The fracture that needed to be dealt with through anterior approach is done.
“We need to turn the patient over and operate from the back,” Song Zimo reminded him about the remaining posterior acetabular fracture. He was afraid that Yang Ping, with the surgery going so smoothly, might have forgotten.
“We can do it all at once, no need to turn the patient over.” Yang Ping responded.
“Scalpel!”
The incision was extended, and the direction changed. The iliac inguinal approach transformed into the para-rectus approach— the surgeon’s use of the incision was innovative.
The para-rectus approach, a newly developed approach in recent years, can be used to treat both anterior and posterior acetabular fractures through a single approach without having to turn the patient over. However, for complicated and difficult-to-reduce posterior acetabular fractures, using this single approach to simultaneously tackle both anterior and posterior acetabular fractures can be quite challenging.
It was precisely this consideration that Director Tian, when on Shipo, gave up the single approach and adopted the classic anterior-posterior combined approach.
“Para-rectus approach?” Tan Boyun recognized the surgeon’s intent at first glance.
Daring to use the para-rectus approach at this time, this person is too bold! Tan Boyun stood up straight.
The pelvis was already severely adhered. Wrapping up the anterior approach swiftly, then changing the patient’s position, disinfecting again, and covering the operating table, to carry out the posterior acetabular fracture from the posterior approach would be much safer and easier. It appeared that this adhesion was caused by tuberculous peritonitis and would not significantly affect the posterior structure.
The kid sure is gutsy and talented! Director Tian also adjusted his posture.
However, with Yang Ping’s level of skill, which he had clearly understood while assisting to handle the retracted arterial hemorrhage in Shipo, he wasn’t too worried.
Using his familiar scalpel and bipolar coagulation, he advanced layer by layer, rapidly and rhythmically. Nerves and blood vessels were revealed and pulled aside, the peritoneum-wrapped intestines were pushed aside, the adhesion space was separated—adhesions were no obstacle under the scalpel and bipolar coagulation, completing the bloodless procedure from start to finish.
Before Tan Boyun even had a chance to comment, they had already reached the posterior acetabular fracture and began fixation.
In a cramped space, the difficult posterior acetabular fracture was easily reduced. The steel plate mold went in and out, already formed; the steel plate and bending tools that Su Yixuan had prepared were handed over.
Song Zimo immediately clamped the steel plate, and Yang Ping adjusted it with a few moves—when compared to the mold, they were a perfect match. At the same speed, another steel plate was bent.
The steel plate was put in place, holes drilled, screws twisted, and an x-ray was ordered!
While Doctor Zhong was still in a daze, Zhang Lin had already moved the C-arm machine in and everyone left to avoid the radiation.
After the x-ray was done, they returned to the OR.
The x-ray image on the screen, presented several angles: the proper position, the exit and entrance. Fracture was beautifully reduced, the steel plate and screws were in very satisfactory positions.
There was no snapping in the hip joint, and the screws hadn’t accidentally ended up in the joint cavity.
This skill was simply out of his league. Doctor Zhong had already forgotten his previous embarrassment and began focusing on the perfect surgery.
The back of his hand that Yang Ping had hit was still a bit sore. The sense of superiority he had when he first arrived, that feeling of being on high, was utterly extinguished.
At Fuer, he also had a small reputation in terms of his skills. Under Director Tan, walking a little arrogantly or strutting about wasn’t a problem.
To be Surgically Adding Internal Fixation to complex pelvic fractures in trauma orthopedics was an achievement that could enable you to set up your private practice in big hospitals.
The bad luck! Having done so many pelvises, he hadn’t ever come across such an odd one. This pelvic surgery, there was adhered scar tissue everywhere—it was like cooked noodles left for a few days that had turned into dough. Where could you separate each noodle?
And yet, he managed to separate each noodle.
Sigh! Fate! It’s all about fate!
If not for bad luck, he would currently be the subject of admiration more intense than equatorial sunshine.
Doctor Zhong sighed, “Time is not on my side,” that’s all he could think, his mind buzzing as if covered with a hood—everything was blurry.
It wasn’t until Zhang Lin had called his name twice during the x-ray that he heard him and followed everyone else out to avoid the radiation.
“Perfect!”
“That’s a wrap!”
With the surgery over, the circulating nurse began to count the gauze and instruments, calculating the amount of blood loss.
Song Zimo said, “Brother, you’ve worked hard, please take a break. Dr. Zhong and I will close the incisions. Dr. Zhong, is it okay with you?”
“No problem, no problem at all.” Dr Zhong hurried back to the operating table, now fully committed like a spinning top, wherever he was needed, there he would be.
Yang Ping began to remove his surgical gown and gloves, and Little Five also climbed onto the operating table to assist.
“You should take a break!” said Su Yixuan, her eyes a complex mix of admiration, respect, and gratitude.
“Are you okay?” Yang Ping pointed to her hands.
Su Yixuan shook her head, a sweet smile on her face.
Flushing, inserting drainage tube, suturing the layers.
And like that, the surgery was over.
“Elder Brother is too incredible”
“Yeah, look, that doctor from Fuer isn’t upset anymore.”
“Such a difficult surgery, and yet so beautifully done, truly admirable!”
There was a small uproar next door, and anyone who wasn’t oblivious could sense the significance of this surgery.
Dignity! Not just the dignity of an individual, but the dignity of an entire team.
Now, that dignity was being vigorously defended!
“Ding Dong! Perfect surgery completed, task accomplished, reward ten thousand points, reap countless admiring looks.”
The system never reneges on its word, Yang Ping sits on a stool to rest.
“Such a pelvic surgery, from start to finish, virtually bloodless, too impressive.” Dr. Jin said.
Director Ouyang said: “The two people’s surgical skills aren’t even in the same league, Little Yang’s surgery was truly meticulous!”
Director Bai ‘s face lit up in a smile: “It’s always the younger generation from Sanbo who are most steady.”
“Director Tan?” Director Han stopped patting his legs.
Tan Boyun didn’t respond.
“Director Tan?” Director Han raised his voice slightly.
“Oh!” Tan Boyun snapped back to reality.
The surgery’s over already? What incredible speed.
This surgery, there wasn’t absolutely anything to complain about.
Tan Boyun awkwardly said: “Director Han, your subordinates are unbeatable. Having Tian Yuan is already extraordinary, let alone such a young prodigy. The younger generation is indeed formidable. The doctors of our Fuer Hospital couldn’t even compare.”
“Director Tan, you’re flattering me too much, you’ll be Director Han’s top tiger in the future.” Tian Yuan joined in the conversation.
“Definitely not!” Director Tan felt his neck burning with embarrassment.
“In the future, the micro-injury orthopedics department will need Director Tan’s guidance to reach new heights.” Director Han patted Tan Boyun’s shoulder.
“Under the leadership of Director Han, we will do our utmost.” Tan Boyun suddenly found himself feeling inferior.
Tan Boyun in Fuer, never use to getting along with his elder, always rebellious. Now, after this rotation to Sanbo, it was undeniable that he aspired to become the orthopedic director. This surgery had left him completely stunned, and he was wholeheartedly in agreement with the methods. His aspirations faded and all he wanted was to maintain his position as the director of micro-injury orthopedics, do his best during his prime years, and achieve some results.
“Tian Yuan, accompany Director Tan for a walk and familiarize him with the operating room. I have to leave now due to some work.”
Director Han stood up, and Tan Boyun and Tian Yuan followed suit.
Director Han gestured politely: “After you, Director Tan!”
Immediately, Tan Boyun bowed and motioned with his hands: “After you, Director Han, after you.”
Director Han held his hand: “Alright then, you guys take a look around. We’ll get together again later. Dean Xia is holding a banquet in person.”
“Why don’t we chat this evening! You’re too kind!” Tan Boyun’s sharpness completely receded in front of Director Han.
Director Han walked out in large strides, and Tian Yuan said, “Director Tan, let’s take a walk together and familiarize ourselves with the operating room.”
“Sure! After you, Director Tian.” Tan Boyun felt a newfound modesty deep in his heart when facing Tian Yuan.
Dr. Zhong also came out and saw Director Tan: “Director!” His face showed signs of shame.
Director Tan patted his shoulder: “Come, let’s walk along with Director Tian and familiarize ourselves with the operating room.”
Meaning: Don’t worry, there’s no need to feel stressed out.