Dr. Shin Seonhan: The Doctor Who Sees The Future [EN]: Chapter 209

“……Then let’s hear Dr. Baek’s explanation first and then decide. Why this patient should receive surgery with that new method.”

Professor Ahn Young-wook crossed his arms and took a step back.

Only then did the conference room breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Professor Ahn had a stubborn personality, but he didn’t let his emotions override the patient’s well-being.

Professor Baek Ui-sin nodded to express his gratitude and gestured to the fellow.

“Show me the echo screen.”

“Yes, sir!”

Click-

The screen switched.

Soon, Baek Ui-sin’s explanation began.

“Looking at this patient’s echo, the VSD [ventricular septal defect] is not small, and its location is far from the aortic valve. In addition, the RV [right ventricle] size is also adequate. And…….”

He continued his logical explanation in a firm voice.

“……So, considering that we are approaching 4 months of age, the myocardium should have matured to some extent. In the end, it is a perfect case for Pulmonary Root Translocation.”

He was persuading them that this patient was a suitable candidate for the new surgical method.

“The early death (early death, early postoperative death) problem reported in the paper cannot be overlooked……”

“Ah, Da Silva said that the problem was resolved after slightly modifying the surgical method in 2005.”

“Da Silva said that?”

“Yes. I traveled around South America during my break and had a meal once. With Jose Pedro da Silva.”

“……!”

Everyone’s eyes widened.

The credibility of his argument was further enhanced as he had spoken directly with Da Silva, the originator of the surgical method.

As Professor Baek Ui-sin’s logical explanation continued, the other professors’ opinions seemed to shift little by little.

“Hmm…… If PRT can be performed without problems, it would be best because there would be no need to worry about reoperation in the future.”

The pulmonary artery root moved in PRT surgery can grow.

This can significantly reduce the need for reoperation compared to the standard method.

As everyone’s opinion was gradually leaning in favor, Professor Heo Jun-im spoke up.

“Professor Baek, then what are the disadvantages of this surgery?”

“The disadvantage is that it is the most recent surgical method, so there is no long-term (long-term observation) data of more than 15 years, and there are no studies directly comparing it with other surgical methods.”

“Wouldn’t that be inconsistent with your usual saying to minimize risk?”

“No, rather, it can be said that it is the least risky surgical method compared to other options.”

Professor Heo Jun-im nodded at his confident words and closed his mouth.

“…….”

It was a moment of decision.

A total of four surgical methods were under consideration.

What was the best?

There is no definitive right answer.

Of course, the decision is determined by considering the suitability according to the patient’s condition, but the opinions of doctors may differ.

I anxiously watched the professors’ conversation from the back of the conference room.

‘It has to change.’

I knew that the previous surgical methods offered no hope.

That’s why I introduced a significant variable in the form of Baek Ui-sin, throwing a large rock into the calm lake.

However, I could not predict the precise shape of the ripple effect.

After the discussions in the conference room, Professor Ahn Young-wook finally spoke.

“……Then let’s proceed as Professor Baek suggests.”

Yes!

I clenched my fist tightly.

Finally, the direction had changed.

The possibility of a different future had opened up.

And the chief surgeon was Professor Baek Ui-sin.

Having once been called a legend, I had hope that he would find a way.

At that moment, hospital director Professor Lee Yoon-joong, who had been listening quietly, spoke.

“……Professor Baek, this will be your first open-heart surgery since your return. Are you sure you’re up to it?”

He trailed off with a worried look.

In fact, most people in the conference room seemed to feel the same way.

This was because there were widespread rumors that Professor Baek Ui-sin was no longer capable of performing surgery normally.

And, in fact, the only surgeries he had performed since his return were relatively simple ones.

No matter how legendary a surgeon he was, he could not ignore the gap of several years.

However, Baek Ui-sin dismissed the concern with a dry and short answer.

“No problem.”

It was as if he was saying that their worries were unfounded.

He simply swept back his graying hair and stared straight ahead.

It seemed that he was completely focused on how to proceed with the surgery.

* * *

D-1.

Lee Seul-gi’s surgical team had been decided.

I heard this from Dr. Ahn Gyeong-sik at the Department of Thoracic Surgery station.

-Chief Surgeon: Baek Ui-sin

-First Assistant: Heo Jun-im

-Second Assistant: Song Yu-ju

“With this lineup, it’s the trinity, the troika of Yonsei University Hospital’s Department of Thoracic Surgery! You could call it a dream team!” Dr. Ahn Gyeong-sik said with sparkling eyes.

His expression was by no means an exaggeration.

The chief surgeon was a legend, the first assistant was a promising professor, and the second assistant was a resident known as a genius.

The scrub nurse was also said to have worked with Professor Baek Ui-sin several times in the past.

‘Everyone is so cool.’

I wanted to be involved.

But I was a first-year resident.

I still lacked the experience to participate in such a complex procedure.

In such an important moment, a doctor with no experience in pediatric heart surgery should not be involved.

Instead of helping the surgery, it could have a negative impact.

‘Is it out of my hands now?’

Of course, there was still an essential process to be completed before the surgery.

It was obtaining surgical consent.

I accompanied Dr. Song Yu-ju on her way to get the consent form.

As a first-year resident, I needed to observe the process of obtaining open-heart surgery consent at least once, so she readily agreed.

“First of all, this surgery is the first of its kind in Korea.”

“The first time?”

“Yes. According to reports, about 6% of patients die within a month after this surgery.”

The guardian’s expression turned pale after hearing the mortality rate.

“However, the group that first started this surgery said that there were no cases of death within a month in surgeries performed after 2005.”

Song Yu-ju’s explanation was as clinical and direct as expected.

Fact-based explanation.

Do not give patients false expectations.

When she finished explaining the procedure, Seul-gi’s mother carefully asked.

“……Have the children who received this surgery grown up well without any problems?”

“Nearly 90% are growing up well without reoperation and living like normal adults.”

“90%?”

“If you have the heart disease that Seul-gi has, this is a very good number.”

“…….”

“Of course, there are inherent risk factors that come with heart surgery.”

Song Yu-ju began to list various complications.

Central nervous system disease, arrhythmia, cardiac low output syndrome, tamponade, bleeding, various lung complications, kidney damage, stomach ulcers, embolism, diaphragmatic paralysis, and even pulmonary hypertension attacks…….

“Wait a minute. What is all this?”

“Don’t worry too much because we’re talking about all the *possible* complications.”

Despite Song Yu-ju’s words, the guardian’s expression did not clear up.

How could it?

A mother’s heart who has to take a risk with her child’s life.

Tears welled up in the guardian’s eyes as she fiddled with the consent form for a while.

“The professor I saw during rounds yesterday will be performing the surgery, right?”

“No, that person is a pediatrician. Our Department of Thoracic Surgery will perform the surgery.”

“Then……?”

“The chief surgeon is Professor Baek Ui-sin.”

The guardian was surprised and raised her head.

The influence of those three letters, Baek Ui-sin, was enormous.

It was as if a cool breeze was blowing, clearing the shadows from the guardian’s face.

“The Professor Baek Ui-sin that I know?”

For some reason, my heart felt touched.

What doctor in the world can reassure a guardian like that just by his name?

That is what it means to be a trusted and respected doctor.

The guardian was very happy, but then she carefully asked as if something was on her mind.

“But I saw an article a while ago that said there were rumors that Professor Baek Ui-sin was not able to perform surgery properly…….”

Dr. Song Yu-ju’s answer to this was firm.

“The Dr. Baek I know does not perform surgeries that he cannot take responsibility for.”

It was a statement that conveyed deep trust.

Then, after a moment of consideration, the guardian said with a determined expression.

“I really want to raise our Seul-gi to be as healthy as other children. Can you give our mother and daughter a chance?”

“We will do our best.”

“I believe you.”

The guardian wiped the tears from her eyes and picked up a pen to sign the consent form.

Rumors spread quickly, like they had legs.

In less than a day, everyone in the hospital knew about this surgery.

* * *

[Exclusive] Professor Baek Ui-sin to Perform Korea’s First Surgery…… Will He Create a Miracle to Save a Small Life?

“Professor Baek, what were you thinking?”

Hospital director Lee Yoon-joong sighed deeply.

An article was displayed on the tablet PC on the hospital director’s office table.

The rumors had gotten out of hand.

.

It was a headline that couldn’t be more sensational.

Of course, it is extremely rare for the media to pay attention to each and every surgery performed in the hospital.

But, Professor Baek Ui-sin was special, after all.

As soon as the rumors leaked, numerous reporters began calling the Public Relations Office.

“What was I thinking? I was trying to save the patient.”

“What if it fails now that things have gotten this big?”

The hospital director looked resentfully at Professor Baek Ui-sin, who was calmly tilting his coffee cup next to him.

The success or failure of surgery.

This is a matter of skill, but it is also a matter of probability.

No matter how good a doctor is, they can fail with a certain probability.

“Anyway, all surgeries are surgeries that should not fail. I don’t put more effort into it just because people are paying attention.”

It was a righteous statement.

The hospital director sighed deeply and picked up his coffee cup.

But Baek Ui-sin’s unexpected behavior did not end there.

“And I’m going to do it as a public surgery [live broadcast].”

“Puhup.”

The coffee splashed on the hospital director’s glasses as he sipped his coffee.