Chapter 159: Chapter 147: Director’s Debut! Upgrading the Assistant Team (2)
"Wu Ting’s surgical caseload is limited right now. He’s the nominal head of the research center and the actual chief resident of the ward. He has a lot on his plate besides surgery. So, for a rare opportunity like this—with Qin Donglai being the newly promoted deputy director, Jiang Ming away for advanced studies, and Director Huo managing the big picture—he’s the next in line for everything."
"Naturally, he hogs all these opportunities. Besides, even when he takes a break, he gives the assisting spots to the key physicians in his own department. A director from another hospital like you doesn’t stand a chance!"
The second surgery.
Qin Donglai was firmly occupying the first assistant’s position.
Zhang Zhong’s expression darkened. He could only watch quietly. This operation was Wu Ting’s signature surgical technique: the Wu’s Umbilical Hole Laparoscopic Appendectomy.
He watched Wu Ting and Qin Donglai work together, with second assistant Yasui, their actions fluid and seamless.
Zhang Zhong was truly filled with admiration and envy.
He truly gained some insight from watching Wu Ting’s technique, especially from observing the cosmetic suturing method.
For this surgery, Wu Ting was intentionally teaching. Qin Donglai took the final incision suturing, while Yasui was given the part using the Wu’s Umbilical Knife for the incision.
Throughout the procedure, Wu Ting frequently offered pertinent advice during critical steps.
’He’s amazing. No wonder Qin Donglai’s skills have improved by leaps and bounds recently.’
Soon, the surgery was complete.
Zhang Zhong blinked.
After a short break, the third surgery began. Without a word, Zhang Zhong went and claimed a spot.
Qin Donglai had been on guard, so the first assistant spot was out of the question. No longer caring about his dignity as a senior, Zhang Zhong simply shifted down the line.
Yasui: "???"
As a resident physician, Yasui felt humbled and constrained in Director Zhang’s presence. He felt a little wronged!
"Dr. An, are you interested in coming to our Military Hospital’s general surgery department for an exchange... to be the lead surgeon on some procedures you’ve mastered..."
To secure a spot in Wu Ting’s surgery, Zhang Zhong offered Yasui opportunities to be the lead surgeon in exchange.
As a senior resident, Yasui’s fundamentals were very solid. He was capable of handling minor surgeries on his own; he just lacked opportunities to be the lead surgeon.
He was easily won over by Zhang Zhong!
Yasui silently stepped aside, betraying Director Qin.
Zhang Zhong thus logically secured the position of second assistant.
He gleefully began learning how to use the Wu’s Umbilical Knife under Wu Ting.
Watching the operating table—Director Qin as first assistant, Director Zhang as second assistant—Yasui’s feelings were quite complicated.
This was truly a first!
’As expected of Dr. Wu! He can make a hospital’s director fight to be his assistant!’
For the next few days, Director Zhang would find Xiao Xixi a day in advance to get the next day’s surgical schedule. He would then show up right on time for Wu Ting’s surgeries to horn in!
News of the situation in the operating room also reached Director Huo’s ears.
Director Huo quietly entered the operating room.
On the operating table today was a patient with a ruptured flexor tendon.
It was unclear whether he was moved by Zhang Zhong’s devotion or if Director Zhang had used some "money power" outside the hospital.
Director Qin had given the first assistant position to Zhang Zhong. Of course, Zhang Zhong cherished this opportunity immensely.
These past few days, participating in so many surgeries had given him some new insights. He felt like he was on the verge of a breakthrough.
So that the first and second assistants could see more clearly, Wu Ting deliberately slowed down his movements for this surgery.
"...Watch closely. This time, the plan has been modified according to the patient’s individual condition..."
"...We divide the tendon into two planes for suturing. After finishing the first plane, we begin the second. This way, after the ruptured ends are tightly approximated, we can adjust the four strands of the suture passing through the ends to have even tension before tying them off separately..."
"...At the same time, we’ll perform a continuous circumferential suture with a single nylon thread..."
Under the influence of his black-label "Grandmaster of Tendon Suturing" title, Wu Ting’s awareness was at the pinnacle of the nation. Therefore, he could make the optimal choices intraoperatively based on the specific situation of each patient.
Listening to Wu Ting’s impromptu modifications, Director Zhang was still left breathless with admiration.
"Amazing! Why couldn’t I think of that!"
To be honest, Director Zhang was no slouch when it came to tendon suturing, but Wu Ting was always several levels above him, in both thought process and execution.
While marveling, Zhang Zhong extended an invitation:
"Dr. Wu, would you have time to come to our Military Hospital to give a lecture and training session? Your flexor tendon suturing is, without a doubt, the best I’ve ever seen!"
Hearing Zhang Zhong’s invitation, Director Huo’s expression soured. Although the Military Hospital and City First Hospital had an excellent relationship, and Huo Yun and Zhang Zhong were close, this blatant invitation to Wu Ting was nothing short of trying to poach his talent. Even though Huo Yun knew the Military Hospital stood no chance, Zhang Zhong’s daily presence was still getting on his nerves.
"AHEM!"
Huo Yun fake-coughed to get Zhang Zhong’s attention, then asked with a gloomy expression:
"Director Zhang, you haven’t been at the Military Hospital these past few days. Why are you always running over to our City First Hospital’s emergency department?"
"What, are you trying to poach Dr. Wu too? Let me tell you, it’s impossible. Dr. Wu even turned down Professor Ma from Jiuhua Hospital, so what makes you think he’d go to your Military Hospital?"
"I advise you not to waste your effort. The great director of general surgery at the esteemed Military Hospital, coming here every day to be an assistant for our Dr. Wu... If word got out, wouldn’t you be embarrassed?"
Huo Yun’s mouth had always been foul and venomous; he showed no mercy when he started insulting someone.
Zhang Zhong hadn’t expected Huo Yun to be so direct.
Of course, he knew Wu Ting would never come to his Military Hospital; he never had such intentions himself.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t stand Qin Donglai constantly showing off his technical progress in front of him. At first, he was genuinely just curious, but after observing and then personally participating in a few surgeries, he was now truly conquered by Wu Ting’s skill.
Besides, after practicing with Wu Ting these past few days, his own skill level had clearly risen!
Zhang Zhong’s old face flushed, and he confessed honestly:
"Director Huo, don’t give me a hard time. How could a small temple like our Military Hospital’s general surgery department dare to covet Dr. Wu?"
"I’m just here to learn with an open mind."
"Dr. Wu’s tendon suturing skill is the best I’ve ever seen. Following him these past few days has been incredibly rewarding."
"Especially the Wu’s Umbilical Hole Laparoscopic Appendectomy. After I master it, I want to promote it in my own department."
Huo Yun hadn’t expected Zhang Zhong to adopt such a humble posture.
Since he’d said that, what more could Huo Yun say?
Besides, didn’t this reflect well on him? The chief director of the Military Hospital, coming to his department’s operating room for advanced training.
This Wu Ting really was making him look good.
Huo Yun harrumphed. "As long as you’re not here to poach anyone. It’s good that you know your place."
"Wu Ting, the expert team from Jinggang University Affiliated First Hospital is arriving tomorrow. They’ll be here for a week. You should also make some time to exchange knowledge and learn from the experts from Haijin Port."
"Director Zhang, you should also go back and relax for the next few days."
Huo Yun gave a few more instructions and left, completely satisfied.
Zhang Zhong had been chewed out by Huo Yun, but for Wu Ting’s sake, he ultimately endured it.
He couldn’t afford to get angry. He had worked so hard to become Wu Ting’s first assistant. To get there, he had given Qin Donglai plenty of benefits: foot massage vouchers, good cigarettes, fine liquor, and "Good Kidney Treasure."
However, that tongue-lashing wasn’t for nothing. Director Zhang had managed to overhear that the expert team from Haijin Port was coming for an academic exchange.
He wondered what kind of performance Wu Ting would put on.
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