Doctor: I Can Synthesize Infinite Entries

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: A Misunderstanding, the Chief Surgeon Is Someone Else

”Scrub nurse... Number 0 Ethibond suture... Tendon stripper...”

Wu Ting’s calm instructions echoed through the operating room. Despite his youth, he already carried himself with the air of a seasoned expert.

Starting 3cm from the ruptured end of the Achilles tendon, Wu Ting used the No. 0 Ethibond suture to perform a Krackow stitch, creating three locking loops on both the proximal and distal ends.

Watching Wu Ting perform this maneuver, Jiang Feng was clearly in disbelief.

”He actually chose the Krackow stitch. While that method has the advantage of reinforcing the tendon, it comes with too many risks. It can lead to scarring.”

”Director Jiang, with Dr. Wu’s suturing technique, you don’t need to worry about scarring,”

Jin Yu commented from the side, directly addressing Jiang Feng’s concerns as if he were a play-by-play announcer.

Jiang Feng glanced at Jin Yu in surprise. The man looked completely unperturbed, as if he were the chief surgeon himself.

Jiang Feng resisted the urge to talk back and continued to observe.

”No. 0 Vicryl suture...”

Wu Ting continued to issue commands, switching to a different suture to begin reinforcing the repair.

Watching Wu Ting’s flawless suturing technique, Jiang Feng couldn’t help but be impressed. However, a new question surfaced in his mind.

Jin Yu, standing to the side, gave a faint smile. Before Jiang Feng could even speak, he preempted him with a devastatingly calm observation:

”Director Jiang, are you concerned that the Krackow stitch alone won’t provide enough strength for the Achilles tendon? Worried about a re-rupture?”

Jiang Feng’s eyelid twitched.

Jin Yu didn’t give Jiang Feng a chance to reply, continuing with his own explanation.

”The most brilliant part of Dr. Wu’s procedure is right here. He’s planning to use the plantaris tendon to reinforce the suture.”

”The plantaris muscle itself is a vestigial, degenerated muscle in the human body with no biological function. Using the plantaris tendon to reinforce the repair of an acute Achilles rupture causes minimal damage to the patient’s healthy tissue and has no impact on their motor function.”

”Furthermore, the plantaris tendon is located medial to the Achilles tendon and inserts on the medial border of the calcaneus. It can provide substantial tensile strength and readily integrates with the Achilles tendon as it heals. This gives it an innate advantage over other autologous tendons or fascia!”

Jin Yu relayed Wu Ting’s reasoning to Jiang Feng, just as it had been explained to him.

After he finished, Jin Yu looked over at Jiang Feng.

It was as if Jiang Feng’s mind had been struck by lightning. As an expert in Achilles tendon repair, he considered himself well-informed and had attended numerous academic forums.

But this was the first time he had ever encountered a reinforcement using the plantaris tendon.

Combined with Director Jin’s detailed explanation, it all made perfect sense.

The idea was nothing short of genius!

It was safe to say that Wu Ting’s procedure was truly the best possible repair plan for Cai Xiaodong. Even if he, Jiang Feng, had been the one operating, he couldn’t have done better.

This Dr. Wu before him didn’t just surpass him in clinical reasoning and bold innovation—even his suturing technique was more than a cut above his own.

’City First Hospital... When did they recruit such a formidable talent?’

Jiang Feng had always opposed his cousin, Jiang Ming, going to City First Hospital, constantly claiming its doctors weren’t skilled enough. But now, the appearance of Wu Ting had left him stunned.

On the operating table, Wu Ting skillfully located the plantaris tendon medial to the Achilles, freed it with a tendon stripper, and transected its proximal end.

Then, 2 cm above and below the rupture, he passed the plantaris tendon through the Achilles tendon in a loop. Using a 2-0 Vicryl suture, he stitched the plantaris tendon onto the Achilles. He then fanned out the remaining end, folded it over to cover the rupture, and sutured it down.

Next, he skillfully used a 3-0 Vicryl suture to close the tendon sheath and subcutaneous tissue...

His hands moved like a pair of fluttering butterflies. In no time, he was using a 2-0 Mersilk suture to close the incision with a mattress stitch...

The more Jiang Feng watched, the more his astonishment grew. Wu Ting’s skill in tendon repair was, without a doubt, at the absolute highest level in the country.

Even at his own hospital, Fenglin Hospital affiliated with Xuanshang University, he couldn’t think of anyone with such strong all-around capabilities.

In the span of just a few minutes, Wu Ting had employed various types of sutures and multiple suturing techniques, completing the entire operation with flawless precision.

Watching Wu Ting operate felt less like observing a surgery and more like witnessing a spectacular performance.

After watching such a procedure, he had absolutely no desire to usurp the lead surgeon’s role. In fact, he wished Wu Ting would operate even longer; he was actually learning from Wu Ting’s techniques.

Jiang Feng even felt a little embarrassed as he resolved to ask Jin Yu for a recording of the operation after it was over so he could take it back and study it.

Seeing Jiang Feng observing quietly, Jin Yu was in high spirits. Wu Ting had really done him proud.

On the operating table, Wu Ting began the final steps: applying a moderately compressive local dressing and releasing the tourniquet.

He then handed off to the assistant doctor from Bei City Hospital, who completed the final step of applying the cast.

The surgery was a success.

Jiang Feng instinctively began to applaud, and Jin Yu joined in congratulations.

”Dr. Wu, that was an outstanding operation.”

”Dr. Wu, it’s a pleasure. I’m Jiang Feng, from the Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery at Fenglin Hospital, affiliated with Xuanshang University in Xianglin City.”

Completely won over by Wu Ting’s surgical skill, Jiang Feng extended an olive branch, planning to find an opportunity to visit City First Hospital for a professional exchange and, while he was there, catch up with his cousin.

”A pleasure, Dr. Jiang. I’m Wu Ting, from the Emergency Department at Fan City First Hospital.”

Wu Ting replied to Jiang Feng, though inwardly he felt a twinge of regret. ’An expert from Xianglin City, and I didn’t even manage to fleece a single reward from him.’

...

...

Outside the operating room, Wang Haiping, the Dean of Bei City First People’s Hospital, had heard that Cai Dongbao and Jiang Feng were at the hospital and had made time to rush over.

He was quite familiar with Cai Dongbao.

”Director Cai, you came all the way to our hospital! Why didn’t you give me a heads-up?” Dean Wang said warmly to Director Cai. ”Director Jiang must be operating on Xiaodong now, right?”

Dean Wang had already made a plan. After the surgery, he would be sure to organize the hospital’s doctors to study the video of Director Jiang’s operation.

”You’re too kind, Dean Wang. I knew you were busy. Director Jiang has been in there for a while now; it’s probably almost over,”

Cai Dongbao and Dean Wang exchanged pleasantries as they waited for good news from Director Jiang.

After chatting for a moment, Dean Wang suddenly changed the subject. ”Director Cai, I heard your station has been actively planning and producing a new program called Path to Health.”

Director Cai was surprised by how well-informed the dean was.

”That’s right, but we’re still in the early planning stages. The show will be primarily studio-based. For each episode, we’ll focus on a health-related topic and invite a first-rate medical expert from Fan City to be a guest in the studio. The goal is to promote awareness and knowledge about common diseases. We’ll also have a live call-in segment.”

The show’s original purpose was to educate the general public about the prevention and treatment of common diseases. Of course, from a hospital’s perspective, it was the best possible publicity channel for their departments. It was a chance to build up the profiles of their expert physicians, enhance their public reputation, attract more patients, and ultimately, boost hospital performance.

Naturally, every hospital was keeping a close eye on a program like this.

A major reason Jiang Feng had been willing to come was that he saw the potential and future prospects of this Path to Health program.

As a top expert from Xianglin City Hospital, he was certainly qualified to appear on the show himself. However, since the program was primarily focused on star physicians from Fan City, Jiang Feng intended to pass this favor on to his cousin, Jiang Ming.

As a rising talent at City First Hospital, Jiang Ming was an excellent candidate. Besides, acute abdominal conditions were among the most common ailments, making for a topic with great educational value for the public.

Dean Wang’s intention was now clear: he hoped Director Cai’s production team would consider featuring Bei City First People’s Hospital.

”Of course, Dean Wang. I would be happy to have your hospital recommend experts to participate in the show.”

Cai Dongbao had the final say on which experts would be invited as guests. Of course, the prerequisite was that these experts had genuine, demonstrable skills. With his backing, the rest would be smooth sailing.

Just as Dean Wang and Director Cai were enjoying their conversation, Cai Xiaodong’s surgery was completed.

Jiang Feng, Jin Yu, and Wu Ting emerged from the OR. Having completed such a deeply satisfying surgery, they were all in high spirits.

Cai Dongbao and Dean Wang immediately walked over to Jiang Feng, naturally assuming he had been the chief surgeon.

”Director Jiang, how did the surgery go?”

The surgery had left a deep impression on Jiang Feng, and he launched into an enthusiastic analysis and commentary.

”Congratulations, Director Cai. Xiaodong’s Achilles tendon surgery was a complete success. The technique used was a Krackow stitch reinforced with the plantaris tendon, a plan designed specifically for him. This approach not only ensures a secure repair but also causes minimal damage to healthy tissue. It allows for early functional rehabilitation, has a lower rate of re-rupture, and promotes excellent recovery of tendon function. I’m confident Xiaodong will make a swift recovery!”

Hearing Jiang Feng’s professional analysis, Director Cai and Dean Wang were even more delighted.

”Just as expected from Director Jiang! That surgical plan must be your own original modification, right? Truly incredible. Thank you so much.”

”Director Jin,” Dean Wang added, ”please arrange for the doctors in our relevant departments to study the recording of Director Jiang’s surgery. This is a rare learning opportunity.”

Cai Dongbei also thanked Director Jiang enthusiastically. ”Thank you so much, Director Jiang! If you hadn’t rushed over, my nephew never would have received such excellent treatment. Xiaodong is so fortunate. Thank you, thank you.”

As he spoke, Cai Dongbei prepared to stuff a thick red envelope into Director Jiang’s pocket.

Jiang Feng, of course, understood that Director Cai and Dean Wang had the wrong idea. His face flushed, and he forced himself to explain.

”No, no, I think you’ve misunderstood. I wasn’t the chief surgeon. It was someone else!”