Chapter 189 - 172: Zhang Heng: "???

Chapter 189: Chapter 172: Zhang Heng: "???

This surgery attracted quite a few doctors who came to observe and learn, including some from Liver Surgery and the Emergency Department.

Yasui, Luo Ming, and Cheng Feng had blended into the crowd in the observation room. While they didn’t particularly like Director Zhang, his skills were undeniably exceptional. Especially with a new technique like this, any opportunity to learn was a welcome one.

Zhang Heng was more than happy about this. It was a subtle way to leave a lasting impression on these doctors and steadily build his prestige.

Moreover, if he could earn Wu Ting’s respect and recognition while operating with him, his future research project at the City First Hospital Research Center would go that much more smoothly.

In just a few short days, some doctors had already privately expressed their interest in joining his research group.

’It would be perfect if I could invite Wu Ting to collaborate,’ Zhang Heng thought. ’Wu Ting’s clinical talent would be my greatest asset.’

As for the other doctors at City First Hospital, frankly, anyone who could get into a top-tier hospital like this had to have fundamentals that weren’t terrible. Of course, that didn’t mean they were anything special, either.

At this point, the best selection method came down to politics and connections. It was about who had a powerful background and who was well-connected. As long as it maximized his own benefit, Zhang Heng was willing to grant an easy favor.

At the operating table, Zhang Heng began the surgery.

At his side, Guo Guoguo didn’t know much about Wu Ting, treating him as just another ordinary doctor from City First Hospital. After all, in her eyes, even Deputy Director Qin Donglai was nothing special, so she paid even less attention to this junior-looking doctor.

When she spoke to Wu Ting, her tone was filled with a sense of superiority.

"Dr. Wu, don’t be nervous. Director Zhang and I are very skilled at this procedure. In a moment, you just need to assist me from the side. I’ll give you a heads-up on what to do. No need to be nervous."

Guo Guoguo said lightly.

Wu Ting remained impassive. There was no need to explain anything to a junior doctor like her.

He was only here to log the achievement for this surgery anyway. How much he did wasn’t important. He would only step in to save the day if an accident happened during Zhang Heng’s procedure. Otherwise, he would just keep a low profile and watch it through.

"Then I’ll be in your hands, Dr. Guo."

Wu Ting replied humbly and prepared to assist with the surgery.

Guo Guoguo began assisting, starting the puncture using the Seldinger Technique.

The Seldinger Technique is a classic method for vascular access. A needle is used to puncture the vessel through the skin. Once the needle enters the vessel, blood flows back out of the needle hub, at which point a guidewire and catheter can be inserted.

Although arterial puncture is a fundamental skill in interventional medicine, not every attempt is a first-stick success, regardless of whether you’re a novice or a veteran. This is especially true for obese patients or those with a weak pulse.

This patient, however, was severely emaciated due to liver cancer. His poor physical condition meant his pulse was extremely weak, almost nonexistent.

Guo Guoguo’s first attempt didn’t yield a blood return. This was a common enough occurrence, so she tried a second time, but again, there was no blood.

"Hm?"

Guo Guoguo felt a surge of frustration. ’Why am I so off my game today? This isn’t the first time I’ve performed a puncture on this patient, and it went so smoothly before.’

Still, Guo Guoguo was experienced enough to realize what the problem was. After a period of treatment, the patient was physically and mentally exhausted and had become even more emaciated than before.

Guo Guoguo recalled Director Zhang’s instruction: ’For obese patients, the puncture site should be slightly lower; for emaciated patients, it should be slightly higher.’

Guo Guoguo made a third attempt, but still, there was no blood return.

’You’ve got to be kidding me!’

Guo Guoguo was getting nervous. ’Why is nothing going right today?’

She knew perfectly well that if she kept attempting the puncture in the same spot, the vessel would go into spasm, making it even harder to access.

’Do I have to resort to ultrasound guidance?’

Guo Guoguo knew this wasn’t the time to worry about her pride; the patient’s safety came first. After all, too many failed punctures could turn the site into a mess of holes like a hornet’s nest or cause a hematoma, which would be even worse.

"If you can’t feel a pulse, use a superior approach."

Zhang Heng, unable to watch any longer, finally spoke up to give a pointer.

Blushing, Guo Guoguo mumbled an acknowledgment and began to switch to the new approach. However, this wasn’t the approach they routinely used for this procedure.

"Don’t be nervous. It’s normal to run into minor complications during surgery. The patient is in poor condition, and this is his third arterial embolization. If you can’t find the pulse point, try anchoring the spot with one finger while using the fingers of your other hand to palpate on either side, tracing the path of the vessel by its pulsation..."

Wu Ting was patient with junior doctors like her, so after Zhang Heng’s reminder, he also spoke up to help her out.

Guo Guoguo let out a soft "oh," only then realizing it was Wu Ting at her side who had offered the advice.

"Do as Dr. Wu says."

Zhang Heng hadn’t expected Wu Ting to know his stuff.

With Director Zhang’s approval, Guo Guoguo didn’t dare to hesitate. Following Wu Ting’s instructions, she began to search and, sure enough, found a slightly stronger pulse point.

But her rhythm had been broken by the consecutive errors, and coupled with the unfamiliar approach, Guo Guoguo was slightly nervous. Her hands hesitated for a moment.

"Don’t make the puncture point too far from the ligament—one to two centimeters is good. If it’s too low, you risk hitting a smaller branch... And don’t puncture on the ligament itself; it will be difficult to apply pressure to achieve hemostasis..."

With his current level of skill and experience, Wu Ting wasn’t about to mock Guo Guoguo. He simply continued to offer guidance.