System Came When the Doctor was Thirty

Five or six hundred and five or six thousand, the difference is quite significant.

Lu Cheng carefully examined the hospital’s charges. The fee for Fracture Open Reduction Internal Fixation Surgery + fracture leveraging and repositioning internal fixation surgery is 1690+145. Adding the cost of the steel plate, the expense used just during the surgery is over 2000.

Including the anesthesia fees, the day’s costs would nearly reach four thousand.

Zhang Hongchun hesitated, ”Dr. Lu, does the manual reduction incur charges even if it doesn’t succeed?”

Lu Cheng furrowed his brows at the question, ”Exactly! ~So you need to think it over carefully.”

Zhang Hongchun asked again, ”Dr. Lu, is it reasonable to charge even if the manual reduction fails?”

Lu Cheng explained, ”If you consider it unreasonable, you should directly opt for the surgery, which guarantees a hundred percent successful realignment. Moreover, the risk of re-dislocation is much lower, and the postoperative recovery is comparatively quicker!”

Charges apply for provided medical services; the inherent risks of manual reduction aren’t included in this.

During the surgery, the lead surgeon will repeatedly perform C-arm scans, which requires calling over a circulating nurse, and a needed assistant for a long time; it’s actually a physical activity as well…

”Let me think about it some more and discuss with my family.” Zhang Hongchun still couldn’t decide.

He was wishing that there would be no charges if the manual reduction failed…

Lu Cheng didn’t persuade him further and said, ”You can think it over, I also need to conduct a simple physical examination for you to rule out the possibility of compartment syndrome…”

Lu Cheng then conducted a systematic check on the patient’s distal limb sensations, circulation function, and local tension at the fracture site. After initially ruling out compartment syndrome, he let Zhang Hongchun discuss with his family.

After the patient left, Zeng Huanqi, with his dark face, said, ”Xiao Lu, are you really going to attempt a manual reduction for the fracture?”

”Isn’t anyone from orthopedics coming?”

”According to consultation rules, I didn’t directly call the medical department to find an orthopedic doctor, which is already a lot of face given to those seniors.” Lu Cheng replied.

If a consultation phone call from the emergency department does not see anyone coming, Lu Cheng would have enough to have them in trouble.

Fortunately, if it were an open fracture, orthopedics wouldn’t dare delay, and there’s no need for Lu Cheng to completely break off relations.

”What if something goes wrong?” Zeng Huanqi asked with concern.

”So, we must write a template for the risks of manual fracture reduction in advance, allowing patients to deliberate and choose themselves, emphasizing the risks of refracture and re-dislocation.”

”Our emergency department’s discussion area is monitored by the Safety Office with recordings—it’ll be alright as we don’t induce the patient.” Lu Cheng replied.

He only does what he’s confident in and stays honest if not, which is his consistent principle.

Of course, if he isn’t skilled enough and the success rate of manual reduction is less than half, Lu Cheng would certainly avoid attempting it.

But with an eighty to ninety percent success rate, if the patient also wants to try saving some money, Lu Cheng is willing to assist.

Manual reduction isn’t something Lu Cheng must do, but he can opt to do it as he sees fit…

Fifteen minutes later, Zhang Hongchun returned, his eyes sincere:

”Dr. Lu, I’ll try the manual reduction first. Please do it well, aim for a one-time success.”

”Alright, okay, first come and talk to me and sign, let’s discuss the specific risks in detail.”

”Mainly, manual reduction and plaster external fixation are less stable than steel plate internal fixation, and there’s a risk of refracture dislocation.”

”Also, the pain experience after reduction will be more intense than surgery and will last longer…”

An hour later, after going back for an X-ray, Zhang Hongchun entered the doctor’s office. His left hand was clearly in a supine fixation plaster, yet he was still nervous and worried:

”Dr. Lu, how is the result? Have you checked?”

”Currently, it looks good; the fracture lines have converged, and the fracture fragments are clamped in place because your hand is in supine position fixation.”

”Together with the soft tissue protecting the fracture alignment, it counts as a good-quality manual reduction. Postoperative recovery is worthy of expectation.” Lu Cheng provided a highly professional evaluation.

He added, ”You can come and look; your ulnar and radial bones edges are basically without anterior-posterior or lateral displacement. Such alignment instills confidence in the reduction.”

”Generally, unless there’s a new injury, the chance of redisplacement is rare, and under injury, any normal person could have a fracture…”

Finally relieved, Zhang Hongchun thanked, ”Dr. Lu, thank you!”

”Thank you for your hard work. I thought manual reduction was something you guys just finished with slight touches. I didn’t realize it required so much effort!~” Recalling the sweat-drenched Lu Cheng and Zeng Huanqi in the operating room, Zhang Hongchun thought the money spent was well worth it.

”I’ve noted everything you instructed me and how to take these medicines.”

”It doesn’t hurt as much now; actually, during the manual reduction, it wasn’t too painful either. I really appreciate it.” Zhang Hongchun bowed slightly, smiling earnestly.

A cost-effective yet efficient method counts amid today’s misfortune as a blessing.

If he really went for surgery, it would’ve cost thousands more, wiping out at least ten days’ worth of earnings!

Lu Cheng advised, ”Be careful on your way back, make sure not to fall. If there’s any numbness, swelling, or aggravated pain, come back for a follow-up immediately!~”

”Your fracture is only externally fixed, not internally; it’s not that stable, be more cautious yourself,” said Lu Cheng while stepping forward to give a reminder.

”There’s nothing else, you’ve also added me on WeChat, if there are any problems post-operation, you can contact me anytime.”

”Except at night or early morning.” Lu Cheng added.

”Alright, thank you, Dr. Lu.” Zhang Hongchun smiled, waving his medication bag at Lu Cheng.

Turning around, Lu Cheng carefully recollected today’s manual reduction without further concerns.

In truth, the manual reduction of radial and ulnar fractures is relatively simple.

A proficient level suffices, securing at least an eighty percent success rate, while a specialized level brings it to around ninety percent.

The effectiveness of the reduction is observable post-operation; aligned fracture ends, smooth fracture force line, fractures fixed in place, and firm external fixation.

Besides, the fracture itself wasn’t a comminuted or susceptible-displacement fracture, giving Lu Cheng more confidence.

After completing these, Lu Cheng returned to the ward, proceeding with detailed documentation of the patient’s ’manual reduction’ operation record.

Just finishing the end, a slightly cold voice came from the comprehensive ward entrance: ”Did you handle our orthopedic fracture patient directly?”

Lu Cheng lifted his head, saw Xiang Kuihua’s robust figure, stood up, and despite being half a head taller than him, lowered his tone: ”Yes, Director Xiang, I performed the manual reduction.”

Xiang Kuihua, tall and brawny in contrast to his slightly small face and dry skin, had an austere demeanor: ”You… Lu Cheng, I’m not saying this to belittle you, but do you really know how to perform a manual reduction?”