A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 28

Martial Arts Surgeon – Chapter 28

Chapter 6: True Education (3)

Jun-hoo was returning home, a document envelope clutched in his hand.

Inside was Kyung-tae’s father’s medical chart.

* * *

Thirty minutes earlier, at Kyung-tae’s house:

“Isn’t the media saturated with stories about medical malpractice these days?”

“If such an unfortunate incident occurred, shouldn’t we investigate it thoroughly?”

With that reasoning, Jun-hoo had persuaded Mi-ho.

This lent credence to his request to examine the chart.

Perhaps due to the Kim Tae-hoon case, Mi-ho was already suspicious of the hospital and readily provided Jun-hoo with a copy of the chart.

She also recounted the detailed circumstances surrounding Kyung-tae’s father’s death.

– “My husband had stage 2 stomach cancer. The initial surgery went smoothly, and he was recovering well in his hospital room…”

– …

– “About three or four days later, he began complaining of severe abdominal pain and had to undergo a second surgery.”

– …

– “The attending professor explained that my husband had a rare condition called angiodysplasia [abnormal blood vessels in the digestive tract] and that nothing could be done. He apologized profusely.”

After hearing her account, Jun-hoo felt even more conflicted.

In some ways, his suspicions deepened.

In others, the situation seemed more understandable.

The suspicious aspect was the nature of Kyung-tae’s father’s illness.

The 5-year survival rate for stage 2 stomach cancer was remarkably high, around 70 percent. Patients who underwent surgery had a significantly better chance of survival than death.

Furthermore, the fact that he required a second surgery only three or four days after the first was highly unusual.

However, there were also mitigating circumstances.

Angiodysplasia was a known complication.

Angiodysplasia refers to an abnormal formation of blood vessels.

It can cause capillary bleeding, submucosal hemorrhage [bleeding beneath the mucous membrane], and other issues.

It’s notoriously difficult for doctors to manage because it can lead to acute bleeding in the affected organ.

So, if Kyung-tae’s father truly had angiodysplasia…

An emergency situation wouldn’t be entirely unexpected.

‘I’ll uncover the truth when I examine the chart,’ Jun-hoo thought.

He glanced down at the envelope in his hand.

Unlike in the past, modern medical record systems allow for tracking both pre- and post-modification records, making it harder for doctors to alter charts without detection.

There was little reason to distrust the chart itself.

Jun-hoo returned home, ate dinner with his parents, and engaged in some brief conversation.

But his mind remained preoccupied with the chart.

Did the deceased die unjustly?

Or did he succumb to an unfortunate fate?

The truth, as yet unrevealed, was now within Jun-hoo’s reach.

Back in his room, Jun-hoo began meticulously reviewing the chart copy.

He focused on six key documents:

Nursing records and progress notes.

Records from both the first and second surgeries.

Test results.

The death certificate and admission/discharge records.

*Flip. Flip.*

Jun-hoo scrutinized the chart with laser focus.

A first-year pre-med student analyzing a medical chart?

Jun-hoo possessed the ability to do what would normally be impossible.

Thanks to Qi circulation [energy flow], brain-enhancing nutrients, and nerve stimulation, his medical knowledge rivaled that of a licensed physician.

As he studied the chart,

Jun-hoo’s eyes widened intermittently.

His brow furrowed, and heavy sighs escaped his lips.

Only after reading the chart three times did Jun-hoo finally set it down on his desk.

“Have I ever seen such heinous bastards?”

Jun-hoo’s fierce declaration echoed in the room.

No matter how he analyzed it, the conclusion remained the same.

Kyung-tae’s father had unequivocally died due to medical malpractice.

* * *

Three primary factors pointed to medical malpractice in Kyung-tae’s father’s death.

The first was the presence, or rather absence, of angiodysplasia.

Jun-hoo found no evidence of angiodysplasia in Kyung-tae’s father’s records.

The esophagogastroduodenoscopy [endoscopic examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum] used to detect the stomach cancer, and the upper gastrointestinal series [X-ray of the upper digestive tract] using contrast agents, both failed to diagnose angiodysplasia.

The surgical records from both the first and second operations were similarly devoid of any mention of the condition.

The diagnosis of angiodysplasia only appeared in the discharge record and the death certificate.

A diagnosis absent from tests and surgical records appearing only in these documents?

The implication was clear.

It was a diagnosis added after the patient’s death during surgery.

Why?

To excuse their surgical failure.

The second indication of medical malpractice was the delayed treatment.

According to the nursing records, Kyung-tae’s father complained of severe abdominal pain and bloody stools following the initial surgery.

However, the hospital’s only response was to prescribe painkillers.

Despite the patient’s deteriorating condition, they exacerbated the problem with their complacent approach.

‘If they had taken appropriate action at that time, he might still be alive,’ Jun-hoo thought, his anger rising as he reviewed the nursing records.

The direct cause of Kyung-tae’s father’s death was the medical staff’s negligence.

The third indication of medical malpractice was the perforation mentioned in the second surgery record.

– Stage: T3N0M0 [indicates the extent of the tumor].

– Surgery name: Subtotal gastrectomy [removal of part of the stomach].

During the first surgery, the medical team resected a portion of Kyung-tae’s father’s stomach and connected the esophagus to the small intestine (anastomosis).

However, the second surgery revealed a perforation (hole) in the esophagus and small intestine.

In simple terms, they had failed to properly suture the surgical site, resulting in a leak.

This constituted a clear error on the part of the surgeon.

Jun-hoo summarized the events leading to Kyung-tae’s father’s death based on the information gleaned from the chart:

1) The hospital failed to properly connect the esophagus and small intestine during the first surgery.

2) A perforation developed in the improperly connected area, and the patient complained of abdominal pain and bloody stools, but only painkillers were administered.

3) When the patient died during the second surgery, the medical staff attributed the death to a rare disease called angiodysplasia.

Committing even one of these acts would be unforgivable.

The medical staff at Taejung Hospital had committed three.

‘Aren’t they shameless bastards who don’t have even a fingernail’s worth of conscience?’

Jun-hoo felt a burning rage at the thought that these human garbage were operating under the banner of a specialized gastroenterology hospital.

‘This isn’t the first time they’ve done this.’

Jun-hoo was convinced that Taejung Hospital’s corruption ran deep.

The Kim Tae-hoon case had only scratched the surface of Taejung Hospital’s problems.

How many more patients had died unfairly, like Kyung-tae’s father?

There was only one course of action for Jun-hoo.

Reward good and punish evil.

He had to deliver a swift and merciless judgment to the corrupt medical staff of Taejung Hospital.

Jun-hoo was merely a first-year pre-med student, but he possessed the power and the strategy to bring down Taejung Hospital.

He could immediately think of at least three plans.

‘You trash-like bastards.’

‘You’re sorely mistaken if you believe your crimes will go unnoticed.’

‘I will hold you accountable for your sins.’

As the night deepened,

Jun-hoo’s resolve and his plans solidified.

* * *

The next morning,

Jun-hoo arrived at school and headed straight to the book club.

He needed to discuss the case with Kyung-tae.

Based on what he had learned, the Taejung Hospital staff were both malicious and adept at manipulating the media.

[Achieved 3,000 stomach cancer surgeries]

[Achieved 2,000 colon cancer surgeries]

[Hospital certified for digestive surgery diseases selected by the Ministry of Health and Welfare]

A quick search for Taejung Hospital on major search portals revealed a barrage of exaggerated news articles like these.

Patients and their families would undoubtedly see these articles and choose Taejung Hospital.

So, even if the hospital committed medical malpractice, they would likely assume there were unavoidable circumstances and move on.

It was a classic case of exploiting reputation and image.

But that heinous tactic wouldn’t work for long.

Because Jun-hoo intended to punish Taejung Hospital directly.

Jun-hoo believed that treating patients well was not the only duty of a doctor.

He also considered it an important responsibility to punish corrupt doctors who exploited patients.

“What’s up? Why did you want to meet so early?”

Kyung-tae, who had arrived earlier, shrugged and asked as Jun-hoo entered the club room.

“I have something important to tell you, senior.”

“Why? Are you going to tutor me? I heard the study session went well yesterday.”

“It’s not about tutoring; there’s another issue.”

Jun-hoo calmly and carefully steered the conversation in a different direction.

“It concerns your father, who recently passed away.”

“Why my father?”

Kyung-tae was visibly taken aback by the topic Jun-hoo had introduced. It seemed completely out of place, given the time, location, and circumstances.

‘What is he talking about?’

“Did you hear from your mother? That I received a copy of your father’s chart?”

“I did. But why?”

“Taejung Hospital has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. So, I asked someone I know to review the chart.”

Jun-hoo invented a fictional acquaintance on the spot.

He knew they wouldn’t believe him if he claimed to have interpreted the chart himself.

Therefore, Jun-hoo planned to portray himself as an uninvolved observer in this situation.

“That person reviewed the chart and concluded that medical malpractice was evident.”

“Me… medical malpractice? That can’t be true! The director himself performed my father’s surgery.”

Kyung-tae shook his head in disbelief.

“There’s no guarantee of success simply because the director is the surgeon.”

“Jun-hoo, do you really understand what you’re saying right now?”

“……”

“This is essentially declaring war on Taejung Hospital.”

“If your father died unfairly, you have to fight. And you have to teach those Taejung Hospital guys a lesson.”

Jun-hoo’s tone was harsh.

That’s how furious he was with the medical staff at Taejung Hospital.

There was no room for mercy for those who had abandoned their humanity.

“It’s pointless to just talk; I’ll show you the evidence.”

Jun-hoo pulled the chart from his bag and handed it to Kyung-tae.

He had highlighted the key sections of the chart himself yesterday.

He wanted to ensure that even someone without medical knowledge could understand the truth of the matter.

Using the chart as a guide, Jun-hoo calmly explained the three critical errors made by Taejung Hospital.

Kyung-tae’s initial skepticism gradually transformed into serious concern.

He began to grasp the gravity of the situation.

“Ha… these bastards. They’re truly trash.”

After hearing the explanation, Kyung-tae erupted in anger.

He had implicitly trusted them because they were a renowned specialized gastroenterology hospital, but they had betrayed him so callously.

The anger that surged through him was difficult to contain.

But soon, more practical considerations arose.

How could they possibly punish the Taejung Hospital staff?

That was the real problem.

As far as Kyung-tae knew, medical lawsuits were expensive and time-consuming, with uncertain outcomes.

Due to the complexities of medical litigation, proving the hospital’s negligence was notoriously difficult.

Even after the death of a middle-aged actor named Kim Tae-hoon at Taejung Hospital,

The hospital brazenly denied any wrongdoing.

That meant it would be even harder to prove the medical malpractice his father had suffered.

Kyung-tae felt a headache coming on as these practical challenges flooded his mind.

“Senior, you don’t need to worry too much. I can handle it. To be precise, I’m getting help from an acquaintance.”

Jun-hoo spoke as if he understood all of Kyung-tae’s concerns.

“With what means?”

“First, schedule a consultation at Taejung Hospital for next week. I’ll explain the plan later.”

Kyung-tae couldn’t help but wonder.

Why were Jun-hoo’s expression and voice so confident?