The Surgeon’s Studio

Chapter 224: Time Is Running Out (Part 1 of 3)

Research Graduate Liang drove the group back to the hospital.

Once they arrived, Zheng Ren, Su Yun and Department Chief Kong headed straight for the ophthalmology department.

Zheng Ren felt confident with a Master-rank skill book still in his reserves.

However, as a general surgeon with no expertise in ophthalmology, he knew that a Master-rank skill book would not set him apart from the doctors in Imperial Capital.

After some thought, he decided it was unlikely that he could solve such a rare case.

They arrived at the ophthalmology department and Department Chief Kong immediately went to visit Lin Jiaojiao.

Outwardly, Lin Jiaojiao looked to be in her thirties, but Zheng Ren presumed that she was most likely in her mid-forties, as was expected of the founder of the nation’s largest cosmetic surgery hospital.

There was a young adult standing by her bed, eyes clouded over with tears; she was most likely Lin Jiaojiao’s daughter.

When they entered the room, Lin Jiaojiao’s good eye flickered open. With a sob catching in her throat, she croaked, “Chief…”

Department Chief Kong got down to business. “Calm down. What happened?”

“Chief… I had an injection scheduled. So once all my clients were gone, I took a dose of hyaluronic acid. An hour later, my vision started to blur and the next thing I knew, I couldn’t see through my right eye. I had my daughter quickly send me to the hospital to see Chief Ma,” Lin Jiaojiao explained clearly, her experience in the medical field evident.

“Hyaluronic acid?” Department Chief Kong repeated.

Hyaluronic acid was a type of mucopolysaccharide. In 1934, an ophthalmology professor in Columbia University extracted the substance from the eye of a cow. The chemical composition of the colorless substance was analyzed and further studies revealed its involvement in joint lubrication, blood vessel permeability control, protein-binding, electrolyte balance, wound healing and more.

In the world of cosmetic surgery, hyaluronic acid was mainly used for hydration and the removal of wrinkles.

It had been touted as the best natural substance for water retention under the skin.

How had this substance caused blindness?

Department Chief Kong had a hand on his temple as he pondered the situation.

“Old Kong, you’re finally here.” A woman in her fifties, clad in a doctor’s coat, walked over. “My ophthalmoscopy found a lack of blood in her retina. I suspect an obstruction in the ophthalmic artery.”

It was the ophthalmology department chief, Dr. Ma. As she concluded her statement, the scent of alcohol reached her nose and she frowned. “Were you drinking?”

“Yes, I was having dinner with Chief Chu.”

“What was the point of calling you here, then? I’ll get Old Pan from Union Medical to assist with the surgery,” Department Chief Ma said.

“No, Chief Pan’s not around. We have Little Zheng here who’s willing to assist,” Department Chief Kong objected.

Dr. Pan was the interventional surgery department chief in Union Medical College Hospital and a member of the National Central Health Agency. He was out of the city, being recently involved in the Tibetan Aid Project.

Department Chief Ma was unaware of the circumstances, hence Department Chief Kong’s explanation.

“Little Zheng? Is he your new research graduate?” Department Chief Ma eyed them suspiciously.

Department Chief Kong started introductions. “This here is Boss Zheng from Sea City, L Province. He’s skilled in interventional surgery and is here for the new research project we’re working on.”

Department Chief Ma was surprised but retained the aloofness of a department chief from a top Class Three Grade A hospital. She did not try to shake Zheng Ren’s hand.

“I’ve contacted Chief Meng and he agreed with my assessment. Imaging is needed to make a full diagnosis. We didn’t know you would be out drinking, though.”

The department chiefs often spoke freely among themselves, hence Department Chief Ma’s clear displeasure.

“Sure. Let’s get started, then. Boss Zheng will handle it.” Department Chief Kong dialed for his chief resident.

During the whole exchange, Zheng Ren had said nothing. He only stared at the System display in the right corner of his vision.

Lin Jiaojiao’s diagnosis was simple. There was an obstruction in the vascular system due to the aforementioned biomacromolecule injection. The plug had led to decreased blood supply to the eye and resulted in temporary blindness.

There were a few peripheral arteries but the majority of the eye’s blood supply was delivered by the main branch.

They had to clear the obstruction within four hours to salvage the retina. Otherwise, it would suffer permanent damage and result in permanent blindness in Lin Jiaojiao’s right eye.

The surgery… The arterial network in the eye was delicate and Zheng Ren could not guarantee success in removing the biomacromolecule obstruction in the artery.

He was an expert in embolization surgery. This was the complete opposite of that.

However, he was willing to try. After all, it was just another procedure.

Su Yun noticed Zheng Ren’s silence and shuffled over. “What are you thinking?”

“A buildup of biomacromolecules in the ophthalmic artery is causing temporary blindness,” Zheng Ren whispered. “Department Chief Ma’s preliminary diagnosis is correct. We’ll have to confirm with imaging but I’m hesitant about the subsequent thrombolysis.”

“Thrombolysis? Based on your diagnosis, it’s a biomacromolecular obstruction in either the capillaries or arterioles, not a blood clot,” Su Yun retorted.

Zheng Ren laid his cards on the table. “Two hours have passed since the obstruction. I suspect a blood clot would have formed by now. The surgery should start with lysis, followed by suction removal. It’ll be up to fate whether or not her vision can be restored.”

Su Yun shook his head; he had low expectations that the surgery would restore Lin Jiaojiao’s vision.

“Biomacromolecules?” Department Chief Ma had overheard Zheng Ren’s words.

“Yes. I’m guessing there was an error in judgment when she injected hyaluronic acid. The substance must have entered the blood capillaries or arterioles, restricting blood supply to her eye,” Zheng Ren said.

His explanation turned Lin Jiaojiao’s face green.

A blood clot detected early could be easily resolved. Obstruction by foreign material was much more complicated.

Was she going to be permanently blind in one eye?

Darkness filled her vision as if her sight was disappearing completely.

“Is the diagnosis solid?” Department Chief Kong asked.

“We’ll need to confirm it with an angiogram.” Zheng Ren asked, “Does the operating room have urokinase?”

“Yes.”

“We should start now. It’s been two hours since the obstruction. Time is running out,” Zheng Ren said firmly.

Department Chief Ma was taken aback by the resolution in his voice, especially from a Sea City junior doctor here on a research visit.

Despite her reservations, she allowed the junior doctor to go about pre-surgery preparations. The patient was transferred to the interventional radiology suite.

The chief resident on call tonight was Dr. Shen. After digesting the patient’s condition, Dr. Shen laid down the sterile drapes and prepared for the procedure.

Zheng Ren held back from accessing the System to pick up the related training modules. He wanted to have a look at the angiogram first.

The procedure started ten minutes later.