Chapter 72: Chapter 72: A Resounding Surgical Success, Preparing for the Free Clinic
"...Adjust the patient’s position. Head down, feet up, tilted 25 degrees to the left..."
Huo Yun and Zheng Duqing helped Wu Ting adjust the patient to the optimal angle. Wu Ting then began to lift the appendix.
"...Harmonic scalpel... Endoloop..."
The scrub nurse immediately followed his lead, her full attention focused on assisting Wu Ting. After all, this was a surgical technique Wu Ting had pioneered, and this was its very first performance. The entire procedure existed only in Wu Ting’s mind.
The nurse didn’t dare let her focus waver for even a second, terrified of making a mistake during this debut operation.
"Don’t be nervous. Just do as I say."
Wu Ting offered a timely word of encouragement. After taking the harmonic scalpel, he began to dissect the mesoappendix up to the base of the appendix. Then, he used his custom-made endoloop to ligate the base.
Once that step was complete, he used the harmonic scalpel to transect the appendix 0.3 cm from the base and cauterized the mucosal stump.
Then, he quickly extracted the appendix through the 1.0 cm observation trocar!
The surgical process was as smooth as flowing water. Having reached this stage, all that remained was to check for any active bleeding and aspirate the fluid in the abdominal cavity.
"...Place an abdominal drainage tube... Remove the suspension sutures and laparoscopic instruments..."
Under Wu Ting’s masterful control, and with the experienced assistance of Huo Yun and Zheng Duqing, the remaining steps were completed in an orderly fashion.
The final step was suturing the abdominal incision. As Wu Ting placed the last stitch, the surgery was declared a complete success!
"Success!"
Inside the operating room, all the doctors felt a sincere sense of pride. This had been an incredibly difficult, brand-new surgical technique.
And its debut had been successfully completed in the emergency department’s operating room at City First Hospital!
A rare look of accomplishment appeared on everyone’s face. Director Huo and Director Zheng were also thrilled by the successful implementation of this surgical technique.
’It seems our department now has its first ace in the hole when it comes to laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment!’
Huo Yun planned to go back, properly edit and utilize the video of Wu Ting’s surgery, and begin the subsequent follow-up work.
At the same time, he would also arrange for the hospital’s internal newsletter and official social media accounts to publicize and promote this surgical technique.
Outside the operating room, the patient’s family was waiting anxiously. A short while later, the medical team emerged.
"Director Huo, how is my mother? How did the surgery go?"
Director Huo smiled and announced with complete confidence:
"Zhang Ying’s surgery was a great success. Our hospital’s originally developed Suspended Gasless Abdominal Laparoscopic Appendectomy was a complete triumph!"
Hearing Director Huo’s words, the patient’s family was overcome with emotion.
"Wonderful, wonderful! You truly live up to your reputation, City First Hospital! Thank you so much, Director Huo."
"Director Huo, we were emotional earlier and said some inappropriate things. On behalf of my whole family, I apologize."
"Director Huo, Director Zheng, Director Jiang, all the doctors... thank you all so much."
The family members were both apologetic and ecstatic. Such a critical condition had been easily resolved by City First Hospital’s unique surgical technique.
"The experts here in Fan City are incredible. Who says they’re not as good as the famous doctors from in or out of the province?"
After safely escorting the patient to her ward, Director Huo and the others gave some instructions before leaving.
Watching Zhang Ying, the family members finally felt completely at ease.
The patient’s grandson opened an app called QuickVids and saw the private message from Director Yao. The man’s criticism of City First Hospital now seemed incredibly ironic.
’Good thing I didn’t follow his advice and have Grandma transferred.’
’This Director Yao isn’t objective at all. He really underestimates the doctors at City First Hospital.’
The grandson left a message for Yao Shi: "Thank you for your concern, Director Yao. My grandmother has successfully completed her surgery, and her condition is good."
"Director Yao, I think the doctors at City First Hospital are actually very skilled."
After replying, the grandson directly blocked Yao Shi.
After completing Zhang Ying’s surgery, Wu Ting also began to arrange his plans for the Wu’s Umbilical Appendectomy.
After this surgery, Wu Ting had earned himself a significant voice within the department on the topic of laparoscopic appendectomies.
The time was ripe. Wu Ting organized his concepts and surgical plan for a single-port umbilical laparoscopic appendectomy and went to report his findings to Director Huo.
Director Huo took it very seriously and immediately called a department meeting with Jiang Ming and Song Qi.
Wu Ting also brought his team members, Luo Ming and Cheng Feng.
Cheng Feng distributed the materials Wu Ting had printed out beforehand to the senior doctors.
Huo Yun and the others were completely blown away by Wu Ting’s idea.
"Wu Ting, your idea is basically my ideal minimally invasive surgical technique! But, won’t this single umbilical port carry some risks?"
Jiang Ming began to discuss it excitedly with Wu Ting.
Huo Yun also listened attentively. As for Song Qi, Luo Ming, and the others, they wouldn’t dare speak up; they just obediently took notes as if listening to a lecture.
As his number one supporter, Cheng Feng was filled with admiration as he observed the atmosphere of the meeting.
’When will I ever be able to be like Wu Ting,’ he thought, ’holding court before Director Huo and Director Jiang, commanding the room and speaking with such passion?’
’So cool.’
Facing the questions from Jiang Ming and Huo Yun, Wu Ting explained calmly and eloquently:
"The essence of this surgical technique lies in the selection of the umbilical port’s position, the incision calculation, and a specially designed umbilical knife. I call it the Wu’s Umbilical Knife technique!"
"The Wu’s Umbilical Hole Laparoscopic Appendectomy is primarily based on the following theoretical points:"
"First, based on my research of domestic and international literature, as well as my own clinical experience, the human cecum is mobile, with a range of motion of 10 to 12 centimeters. This phenomenon is often overlooked, but it is the most critical aspect of my new surgical technique."
"Second, measurements show that the distance from the classic McBurney’s point to the navel is 8 to 9 centimeters in adults, and 10 to 12 centimeters in individuals taller than 1.8 meters. This indicates that the appendix and cecum can be pulled out through the navel, allowing the surgery to proceed in an orderly manner. Of course, it is strictly forbidden to rush to pull it out for excision. One must understand the location and condition of the appendiceal inflammation, determine if adhesions are present, and then apply force slowly. Brute force must be avoided at all costs."
Wu Ting’s words seemed to have a magical quality, painting a clear picture in the minds of the other doctors.
"Third, because the skin to the side of the umbilicus is loose, the incision speed is relatively slow when using a normal scalpel. This necessitates the new Wu’s Umbilical Knife that I’ve designed."
To everyone’s surprise, Wu Ting took out a diagram:
"This is my hand-drawn diagram of the Wu’s Umbilical Knife. This knife consists of two parts: the handle and a disc-shaped base. The handle is used to extend, rotate, and retract the blade..."
"The disc-shaped base is designed according to the size of a human navel. It can be inserted into the navel and also serves to stretch the skin inside taut. Then, the blade within the disc base is used to make a rotational cut..."
Looking at the umbilical knife Wu Ting had designed specifically for this surgical technique, Huo Yun and the others were utterly stunned.
"It can be done like that?"
"Wu Ting, this umbilical knife of yours is incredible! You could absolutely apply for a patent. If this surgical technique can be popularized, this knife alone would be an immense fortune."
Cheng Feng jumped in, "Director Huo, I’ve already consulted my cousin and applied for appearance and design patents for Wu Ting’s umbilical knife. At the earliest, they could be approved by next month."
"Moreover, the first batch of sample Wu’s Umbilical Knives has already been arranged for production. They can be delivered as early as next week."
Cheng Feng’s cousin was a department manager at a medical device company. Under his guidance, Cheng Feng had applied for the patent for Wu Ting long ago.
Wu Ting had also authorized this medical device company to produce the Wu’s Umbilical Knife. However, it was currently still in the sample testing phase.
Seeing the seamless teamwork between Wu Ting and Cheng Feng, Huo Yun was pleasantly surprised.
"Excellent, excellent. Wu Ting, please continue explaining the surgical technique."
Wu Ting continued, "Lastly, the use of absorbable sutures can repair the umbilical skin, thus satisfying the patient’s cosmetic requirement for scar-free treatment!"
After Wu Ting finished his comprehensive analysis and explanation, Huo Yun and the others discussed it for a moment.
"Wu Ting, I believe this surgical technique of yours is perfectly ready to be implemented and promoted within the department. Here’s the plan: I’ll immediately apply to the hospital administration for project funding, give the notice to start printing related promotional brochures, and tentatively schedule a free clinic in the hospital’s outpatient lobby for next week. At the same time, we’ll promote it on the hospital’s official online account and its QuickVids channel."
Huo Yun then thought for another moment:
"We can leverage both the Suspended Gasless Abdominal Laparoscopic Appendectomy you pioneered and this brand-new Wu’s Umbilical Hole Laparoscopic Appendectomy as our core submission for the *Path to Health* program. This time, it will be our City First Hospital Emergency Department’s moment to shine!"
