A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 161

Chapter 30: Courage (1)

Emergency Room Station.

Jun-hoo sat in his chair, staring at the monitor.

He was waiting for the MRI scan of the patient to finish and the results to come in.

“Having an existential crisis? Even you’re helpless in front of a difficult patient, huh?”

Thump!

The owner of the playful voice sat next to Jun-hoo.

It was Ahn Ho-won.

Jun-hoo’s college classmate and a first-year resident in the emergency medicine department.

“I saw that lower back injury patient you treated first. That old man was quite picky.”

“…….”

“He doesn’t want tests, doesn’t want surgery. He doesn’t want anything, so I gave up.”

Ho-won shook his head and continued.

“It’s not your fault if the patient gets worse. What can we do if he refuses treatment and tests?”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but the patient is currently undergoing an MRI.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yeah, really.”

Jun-hoo said with a smile.

Through the internal energy MRI scan, Jun-hoo knew that the patient had cauda equina syndrome.

Cauda equina syndrome.

It’s a condition similar to a common herniated disc, yet different.

Cauda equina syndrome occurs when the nerve bundle below the second lumbar vertebra is under extreme pressure.

In this patient’s case.

He originally had a disc issue.

And while working, he fell and injured his back, which likely worsened the nerve damage.

One of the characteristics of cauda equina syndrome.

Is that it causes bowel and bladder dysfunction.

This is because the cauda equina nerve bundle is connected to the nerves controlling bowel and bladder function.

So, Jun-hoo boldly made a bet with the patient: if he could urinate, he would discharge him at his own will.

The result was a great success.

Jun-hoo crossed his arms and recalled the time in the bathroom.

“Doctor. How on earth did this happen?”

The patient stared at Jun-hoo with wide, surprised eyes.

“The nerves that the patient injured are connected to the nerves that control bowel and bladder function. So, naturally, it would be difficult to urinate.”

“Th-that can’t be.”

“If you get a detailed examination, you will know more accurately about your condition.”

Jun-hoo continued calmly.

“You will keep the promise you made earlier, right?”

“Do I have a choice? I have to keep it.”

“For your information, as soon as the examination is over, you will have to undergo emergency surgery.”

“Is lumbar disc surgery usually done so quickly?”

“Because there is a high probability that it is not a simple disc.”

Jun-hoo explained cauda equina syndrome to the patient in advance.

Cauda equina syndrome is an emergency condition.

He explained that if surgery is not performed within 48 hours, permanent bowel and bladder dysfunction may occur.

“Then, doctor.”

“Yes. Tell me.”

“If I had ignored your instructions and just gone home… would I have been uncomfortable every time I went to the bathroom for the rest of my life?”

“That’s right. That’s why I made such a fuss.”

“…I’m sorry and thank you.”

The patient bowed his head.

Jun-hoo’s sincerity towards the patient was finally conveyed.

The patient’s honest confession.

Jun-hoo also felt a sense of satisfaction at the coldness that had melted away like snow.

Even if the patient gives up on himself.

If the doctor does not give up on the patient, the opportunity will come.

Spring will come.

“I had a prejudice that the hospital guys, no, the hospital staff, were all crazy about money…”

“You can misunderstand enough. There are actually people like that. But most of the hospital staff do their best in their respective positions.”

The dispute with the patient ended peacefully.

Jun-hoo carried the patient back to the hospital room.

The patient lay on the bed.

And moved to the MRI room with the ward caregiver.

This was the whole story.

“You’re really something. I give up on you, not the patient.”

Ho-won clicked his tongue after listening to the explanation.

“Well, I was lucky too.”

Jun-hoo chuckled.

The basis for Jun-hoo’s performance was the internal energy MRI scan.

Because he knew that the patient was suffering from cauda equina syndrome, not a disc, he was able to boldly bet with urine.

Internal energy and martial arts were Jun-hoo’s proud one-two punch.

“I’m going to see the patient I worked hard on.”

“Okay. You too.”

As Ho-won left, the emergency MRI reading video appeared.

Of course.

Like fate, the patient was suffering from cauda equina syndrome.

A fractured fragment from the 2nd and 3rd lumbar vertebrae was pressing down on the nerve bundle.

Jun-hoo immediately called the neurosurgery on-call room.

Kyung-soo answered the phone.

-You called the emergency room number. Another surgery patient?

“That’s right. A cauda equina syndrome patient. Please schedule the surgery.”

-Ugh. It’s like you’re the medical world’s Kindaichi [a famous detective]. Stop creating patients.

“It’s not like I can control that.”

-Wait a minute…….

Kyung-soo paused before continuing.

-The regular surgery schedule is full right now. Min-kyung is also in an emergency surgery.

“Then there’s no one to perform the surgery?”

Jun-hoo’s voice rose slightly.

The faster the surgery time for cauda equina syndrome, the better the prognosis.

So, the patient needed to have surgery right away.

-I’ll have to find out if there’s anyone available to operate. First, come up to the operating room with the patient. I’ll figure something out.

“Okay. Thanks.”

After hanging up, Jun-hoo printed out the surgical consent form and moved to the patient’s bed where he had returned.

He explained the surgical procedure and side effects to the patient and got his signature.

Because the patient had become a docile lamb.

The process of getting the signature was smooth.

“Then let’s go to the operating room.”

Jun-hoo pulled the bed himself and left the emergency room.

* * *

Swaaaa.

Jun-hoo was scrubbing (pre-operative disinfection) at the sink in the operating room.

He had overcome one hurdle by persuading the patient who had refused examination and surgery, but there was one more hurdle left.

That was the question of who would perform the surgery.

Even in Jun-hoo’s memory.

Today’s surgery schedule was very tight.

He couldn’t find a suitable surgeon.

If Jun-hoo were in Kyung-soo’s position, he would have sent an SOS to the orthopedic department.

The orthopedic department has relatively few emergency patients.

And they can easily perform cauda equina syndrome surgery.

Step. Step.

Hearing the footsteps heading this way, Jun-hoo turned his head.

A familiar yet.

An unexpected person was approaching.

“Seeing you here again?”

“Why are you here, senior…….”

“Why else? I came to do surgery.”

“Are you the surgeon, senior?”

“Is there any reason why I can’t be?”

Si-ho, who had just returned to the neurosurgery department today, stood next to Jun-hoo.

He began to disinfect his hands and forearms with a brush soaked in disinfectant.

Kyung-soo’s choice was Si-ho.

“Are you okay? It seems like you’re pushing yourself too hard from the first day.”

Jun-hoo was concerned about Si-ho’s surgery.

Above all, he was worried about Si-ho’s mental state.

Hadn’t he delivered the bad news from the Busan branch neurosurgery department earlier?

He said that the patient Si-ho had operated on yesterday morning had passed away.

In that case, Si-ho’s mental state was likely to be unstable.

“Neurosurgery is originally a demanding department. It’s not a big deal.”

“Still, it would be better to ask the orthopedic department for help.”

“Jun-hoo. Don’t cross the line.”

Si-ho’s expression, which had only shown a good-natured smile, suddenly turned cold.

Jun-hoo was quite surprised that Si-ho could make such an expression.

So, he’s not just a gentle character.

“If I’ve decided, you follow. That’s all you need to do.”

“I understand.”

After the scrub was finished.

The two received help from the scrub nurse and put on surgical caps, gowns, masks, and surgical gloves.

Ziiiiing.

The door to operating room number 1 opened automatically.

The patient was lying on the operating table, and the intern was busy setting up the surgical instruments.

Jun-hoo approached the operating table.

The patient’s face looked particularly white under the operating light.

Beeeeeep.

Beeeeeep.

The patient monitoring device connected to the patient emitted regular beeping sounds.

The air touching the skin was cool, and the strong smell of disinfectant stung the nose with every breath.

“Patient, are you nervous?”

“Yes. To come to the hospital for the first time in decades and have surgery right away. My fate is truly unfortunate.”

“We will do our best, so trust us and follow us.”

“Of course. I trust you, doctor.”

After reassuring the patient, Jun-hoo helped the intern finish the surgical preparation.

Around that time, the anesthesiologist also arrived and proceeded with general anesthesia.

Now, four people were in their respective positions at the operating table.

The surgeon Si-ho.

Opposite him, Jun-hoo, the first assistant.

Next to Si-ho was the scrub nurse, and next to Jun-hoo was the intern.

The staff composition was somewhat simple due to the lack of manpower.

Maybe it’s better this way.

With this composition, I don’t have to worry about being called a show-off.

Shall I show off my skills for once?

Jun-hoo lightly tilted his neck and looked at Si-ho.

As if Jun-hoo’s worries were unfounded.

Si-ho’s eyes were calm and quietly subdued.

“We will now begin the nerve decompression for cauda equina syndrome.”

Si-ho’s voice spread through the operating room.

* * *

The curtain rose on the emergency surgery for cauda equina syndrome.

Sssseuk.

The intern disinfected the patient’s back, who was lying face down, and covered it with a pure white surgical drape.

“Number 10.”

Si-ho held the scalpel he received from the scrub nurse in his hand.

He vertically cut the skin at the site of the fractured lumbar vertebrae 2-3.

A steady hand.

A vertical incision without distortion.

Si-ho handled the scalpel skillfully and simply.

He’s no ordinary person?

He’s as good as any fellow doctor.

Jun-hoo was impressed by Si-ho’s skill.

But someone might ask Jun-hoo like this.

Why are you making such a fuss with just one skin incision?

But Jun-hoo knew ten things from one.

He immediately saw that Si-ho’s skill and qualifications were extraordinary.

According to Min-kyung.

Si-ho was the ace of the neurosurgery department at the main hospital until Jun-hoo came in…….

Indeed, Si-ho’s skills were well-deserved.

Then I can’t lose either.

Jun-hoo drew up his internal energy and unfolded the Celestial Divine Art (天神功) [a secret technique that enhances senses].

One of the secret arts that maximizes the five senses and even opens the sixth sense.

When he unfolded the Celestial Divine Art, all his senses were amplified several times.

The field of vision became clearer.

Even the staff’s breathing could be heard as if it could be touched.

The smell of blood flowing from the incision became stronger.

The feel of the forceps in his hand became more sensitive.

As the secret art took effect.

Jun-hoo’s eyes became sharp like a hawk. If Jun-hoo supports Si-ho now, the surgery cannot fail.

Sssseuk.

Jun-hoo held the gauze with the forceps and wiped the blood seeping from the incision with the gauze.

The gauze was stained red.

Jun-hoo held the retractors in both hands and widened the skin incision to the left and right.

The surgical field of vision suddenly cleared.

“Your actions are quick and good. You don’t seem nervous even though you’re the first assistant?”

“I like being the first assistant better. Because there are more treatments for me to do.”

“You’re very greedy.”

“If it’s about surgery.”

“I hope you assist as well as your enthusiasm. I hate people who only talk big.”

“You’ll see.”

The two exchanged words with substance.

It was a kind of war of nerves between the old ace and the current ace.

As Jun-hoo exchanged treatments, Si-ho’s incision continued.

Seogeok.

With Si-ho’s second scalpel movement, the subcutaneous layer and fascia layer of the patient’s skin were cut at once.

The surgery was about to begin.