A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 369

The Surgeon Using Skills – Chapter 369

Chapter 71: Pop Quiz (4)

Step. Step.

Crisp footsteps echoed through the pediatric neurosurgery ward.

Bruce was heading to the conference room, his heart pounding.

Jun-hoo’s team’s surgery was just 30 minutes away.

He was curious to see how they would interpret the first team’s surgery and what direction they would take.

In fact, this surgery was not easy.

It included Jun-hoo, who had performed surgery on a pilocytic astrocytoma [a type of brain tumor] and scored perfectly on the pop quiz.

Oliver was also a top-tier talent.

Maxwell had a quirky side, but his passion for medicine was exceptional.

So, they scheduled a surgery that was twice as challenging as other teams.

Would great expectations be met with even greater success?

Or would disappointment be as deep as the expectations?

The answer would be revealed shortly.

Creak.

Opening the door and entering the conference room, he saw the three of them in a triangle, conversing.

Bruce stood next to Jun-hoo, who was at the apex.

“The discussion seems intense? Don’t tell me you haven’t reached a conclusion yet?”

“No. We were reviewing the details,” Jun-hoo replied calmly.

“That’s a relief. Can you briefly explain the surgical procedure?”

“Yes.”

Jun-hoo’s briefing followed.

The surgical method was commonly known as hybrid.

It was a method of mixing direct and indirect revascularization surgery [surgical procedures to restore blood flow to the brain].

It was mainly used for adult patients rather than children.

“At your current level… direct revascularization surgery might be too much to handle?”

Bruce’s brow furrowed.

Wrinkles like earthworms squirmed on his forehead.

Were they going too far?

“What is best for the patient? We chose the surgical method focusing on that.”

“What are you going to do if the blood vessel anastomosis [surgical connection between blood vessels] fails? You might end up burning down the house trying to catch a cockroach.”

“Don’t worry. We won’t use fire,” Jun-hoo responded to Bruce’s metaphor with a metaphor.

“Explain in detail. What do you mean?”

“We will only perform direct revascularization surgery on one area. Only on the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery [a major artery in the brain].”

“Hmm… M1, huh.”

Bruce stroked his chin with one hand.

M1 was a crucial point in the middle cerebral artery where branch vessels extended in all directions.

Performing direct revascularization surgery only on this area could yield quite good results.

“This is a bit unexpected? I thought you would operate on M2, M3 as well, Jun-hoo?”

“I’m not the type to perform surgery recklessly,” Jun-hoo chuckled.

As if he knew exactly what Bruce thought of him.

Jun-hoo sometimes acted like a fool who only knew about patients, but at other times, he was cunning like a fox.

He was an unpredictable character.

“What do you think of our surgical approach, Professor?”

“Direct surgery on M1 and indirect surgery on the remaining areas…”

Bruce paused before continuing.

“It’s a good idea. I would have done the same.”

Clap!

As soon as Bruce finished speaking, Oliver and Jun-hoo shared an enthusiastic high-five.

Only Maxwell looked sullen.

It seemed Maxwell had insisted on indirect surgery only.

“It’s not necessarily a bad choice to only do indirect surgery. There’s no right or wrong in surgery. Insisting on direct surgery could lead to even greater complications for the patient.”

“Thank you, Professor,” Maxwell replied with a bright expression, as if encouraged by Bruce’s advice.

“We need to prepare for surgery, so let’s get going. Director is already waiting in the observation room.”

Bruce led the way, followed by the three of them.

As they left the ward and waited for the elevator, Bruce remembered that he had missed the most important question.

“Ah, right. Have you decided on the surgeon and assistant?”

“Yes. Oliver is the surgeon, I’m the first assistant, and Maxwell is the second assistant.”

Bruce’s eyes widened at Jun-hoo’s answer.

He was so shocked that his mouth hung open foolishly.

“Huh? Jun-hoo isn’t the surgeon?”

* * *

Surgical scrub station.

Jun-hoo, Oliver, and Maxwell were scrubbing (pre-operative disinfection).

Scrub. Scrub. Scrub.

The sound of the brush rubbing was rhythmic.

Each time the brush touched the skin, crimson bubbles foamed up.

The eyes of the three facing their first team surgery were determined. The amicable atmosphere in the conference room had long since vanished.

“Oliver, are you really okay?”

Jun-hoo glanced at Oliver, who was standing next to him.

Oliver’s fingertips were trembling slightly as he scrubbed.

“I’m a little nervous, but I think I can do it.”

“There’s no need to push yourself too hard for the first team surgery. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to let me do the surgery.”

Jun-hoo’s voice was filled with concern.

One hour ago.

After a heated discussion, it was decided that the surgery would be a hybrid, combining direct and indirect methods.

The problem arose after that.

“I want to do this surgery. I really want to do it.”

Oliver raised his hand and expressed his active intention.

“I don’t know about indirect surgery, but if direct surgery is included, shouldn’t we leave it to Jun-hoo?”

Maxwell asked with a disgruntled expression.

“I have to try even if it’s difficult. We’ll have to do these surgeries eventually anyway.”

“Tsk. I’m against it.”

“Jun-hoo, what do you think?”

Contrary to his words, Oliver’s eyes were not asking a question. He was desperately asking Jun-hoo for a concession.

Why was Oliver insisting on the first surgery?

Was it really because of his burning spirit of challenge, or was there a hidden story?

Jun-hoo didn’t know the reason.

“Oliver, if you really want to do it, go ahead. There’s no reason why I have to be the surgeon.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

Oliver smiled brightly.

That’s how the surgical positions were decided.

“Let’s go to the battlefield,” Maxwell, who finished scrubbing first, led the way, followed by Jun-hoo and Oliver.

The three, wearing surgical gowns, caps, masks, and gloves, entered operating room number 4 in order.

The air touching their skin was cool.

Each time they inhaled, the pungent smell of alcohol stung their noses.

Before preparing the surgical instruments, Jun-hoo approached the operating table and examined the patient first.

12-year-old boy, Maxi, was lying on the operating table.

Patient monitoring devices and a CVC (central venous catheter) [a tube inserted into a large vein] were already connected.

Was it because he was an American teenager?

Maxi looked much more mature and grown-up than his peers in Korea.

He was already close to 170 centimeters tall.

Perhaps due to nervousness, Maxi’s pulse was somewhat fast at 130 beats per minute.

“How are you feeling?”

“My head is a little dizzy and I feel nauseous,” Maxi looked up at Jun-hoo with anxious eyes.

Jun-hoo thought that even if he were Maxi, he would be scared and nervous.

Even adults were afraid of surgery, but Maxi was still a child whose blood hadn’t dried yet.

About 10 minutes before the surgery.

What could he do to comfort the child?

Jun-hoo pondered for a brief moment. Then, he started whistling cheerfully.

“Oh? I know that melody.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Baby Shark. I listened to it a lot when I was little. I even danced to it at school.”

Maxi’s voice suddenly brightened.

He had tried it because he heard that the Baby Shark song was a big hit in the United States, and the reaction was surprisingly good.

“Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo – Mommy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo -.”

Maxi started humming the Baby Shark melody cheerfully.

Jun-hoo was relieved that Maxi seemed to be relaxed.

Now, the operating room was no longer just a scary place for Maxi.

It became a place where he could hum the Baby Shark melody.

It was a small but great change.

“Jun-hoo, what are you doing not preparing for surgery?”

Oliver pulled the dressing cart and stood next to Jun-hoo, asking.

“I was just cheering up the patient.”

“You’re really a patient fool who only knows about patients? You come into the operating room and check on the patient first.”

“Surgery isn’t just about curing diseases. It’s about bringing back smiles to a person and their family,” Jun-hoo said without taking his eyes off Maxi, who was humming Baby Shark.

“I’ve always approached surgery with that mindset.”

Jun-hoo’s eyes welled up as he spoke.

In that moment, the tragedy he had experienced in the Murim world [a fictional world of martial arts and chivalry] came to mind.

The days when his colleagues, with whom he had laughed, cried, and slept together, were scattered as miserable corpses.

The helplessness and pain he felt when he heard the news that they had become stars in the sky, and the families who screamed, despaired, and fainted again.

Jun-hoo never wanted to taste that again.

“Maxi, how are you feeling now?”

“Much better than before,” Maxi replied.

It wouldn’t be a lie.

Because his pulse had already returned to normal.

“The doctors will do their best to treat you. Let’s see each other again when you’re healthy?”

“Yes. Doctor.”

After finishing the conversation with Maxi, Jun-hoo went back and forth between Oliver, the storage, and the operating table, setting up the surgical instruments.

Maxwell temporarily left the operating room to get the Portable CT.

“Oliver. Why did you insist on being the surgeon today?”

“Why? Are you dissatisfied with me too?”

Oliver chuckled and asked back.

“It’s not that, but I feel like you’re more desperate than usual.”

“You’re quick to notice. I can’t fool you after all.”

As expected, there seemed to be a reason why Oliver had to perform today’s surgery.

Oliver fiddled with the forceps and continued.

“The head of the department always observes the first team surgery, right? So, I thought I should do it.”

“Ah… that’s what it was?”

“Yeah. That’s what it was.”

Jun-hoo’s gaze swept over Oliver’s blue eyes and blonde curly hair.

They were exactly like Austin’s appearance.

He had forgotten for a moment, but Oliver’s father was the head of the department, Austin.

“I’ve wanted to be recognized by my father since I was young. My father is quite stoic and doesn’t praise me often.”

“…”

“It was the same when I entered Mayou Medical School, and when I was accepted into the Boost Up program…”

“…”

“It seems like I’m still lacking in my father’s eyes.”

A bitter smile appeared on Oliver’s lips.

“So, I thought I might get praised if I performed the team surgery well. There won’t be many opportunities to operate in front of my father.”

“Aren’t you feeling pressured?”

“I am. A lot. To be honest, I regret it too… But since the water has already been spilled, I have to clean it up.”

Jun-hoo could fully empathize with Oliver’s story.

Who wouldn’t want to be recognized by someone they really wanted to be recognized by in their life?

Jun-hoo wanted to be recognized by the Murim Alliance Lord in the Murim world, and by his teacher Jaehyun in the modern world.

And he also wanted to be recognized by patients and guardians.

That he had worked so hard for them.

There must be a reason why the term ‘struggle for recognition’ exists.

“Then I’ll tell you in advance.”

“What?”

“I won’t touch this surgery at all. So, even if there’s a problem while you’re operating, don’t ask me to take over.”

“Isn’t that… a bit harsh?”

“Instead, I’ll do my best to help you as the first assistant. So that you can be recognized by the head of the department. Is that enough?”

“Okay. I’ll give it a try.”

The two men’s gazes intertwined intensely in the air.

After finishing their chat, the two finished preparing for the rest of the surgery.

Just in time, Maxwell also returned to the operating room with the Portable CT.

As the anesthesiologist put Maxi under general anesthesia, the surgical preparations were completed, and the surgery was about to begin.

Oliver stood in the surgeon’s position.

Jun-hoo stood opposite him.

Maxwell stood next to Oliver, and the scrub nurse stood next to Jun-hoo.

Just before the curtain rose on the surgery, Oliver took a deep breath and raised his head.

At the end of Oliver’s gaze was the observation room on the second floor, and at the end of it sat the head of the department, Austin, and Bruce.