A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 396

Chapter 77. What Remains (1)

The observer’s section of the surgery room.

Mikal, the head of pediatric neurosurgery at the Cleveland Clinic and Austin’s rival, crossed his arms and frowned as he stared at the monitor.

For some time now, Mikal had been fixated on the surgeon named Junhoo.

Not a fellow.

Certainly not a professor.

He’d heard that Junhoo was a trainee undergoing an accelerated training course after completing his residency.

But his skills were extraordinary.

Even compared to most professors, his assisting abilities were remarkable.

He seemed to understand the entire surgical process, anticipating Austin’s needs,

Securing the field of vision and space necessary for Austin to perform the surgery effectively.

His use of surgical instruments was also noteworthy.

He worked skillfully with both hands and occasionally demonstrated the ability to use microsurgical instruments typically used in ophthalmology or hand surgery.

‘Amazing. Could he be a genius?’

Mikal bit his lip.

Despite admiring Junhoo’s skills and potential,

Mikal harbored resentment towards him.

Because Junhoo had, in a way, saved this surgery.

Austin had a critical weakness that he hadn’t been able to overcome for a long time.

Does the best neurosurgeon in the United States have a weakness?

Many might be surprised,

But it was the honest truth.

From the beginning, no human is without weaknesses.

Weaknesses are what make us human.

Austin’s fatal flaw was…

Perfectionism.

An obsession with always achieving the best possible outcome.

That shortcoming had inevitably surfaced during this surgery. He had wasted two hours meticulously peeling the twins’ meninges [membranes protecting the brain and spinal cord].

“Professor Austin, you’re amazing. How can you peel the meninges so delicately?”

Professor Jimmy, from the same hospital and observing the surgery, had said to Mikal a few hours earlier.

“Do you genuinely think that’s impressive?”

Mikal scoffed and retorted.

“Isn’t he peeling it as precisely as if he measured it with a ruler? The ratio of the meninges is also exactly five to five.”

“Do you know what that is?”

“What is it?”

“A waste of time.”

Mikal summed it up succinctly.

In Mikal’s opinion, it would have been much more efficient to separate the meninges adequately and reconstruct them with artificial meninges later.

The patients were only three months old.

They lacked the physical resilience to endure a prolonged surgery.

Shortening the operation time was more crucial than perfectly peeling the meninges.

“Wouldn’t natural meninges be better than artificial ones?”

“That would be ideal in a normal situation. But depending on the surgery, you have to be adaptable.”

“Adaptability…”

“Think about it.”

Mikal refocused on the monitor, a hint of satisfaction in his expression.

Mikal had recognized it.

Captain Austin had set the ship, the surgery, on the wrong course.

That the ship would soon strike a reef and sink.

But then!

Junhoo had appeared and completely turned the situation around.

He had deliberately torn the meninges.

Forcing a situation where artificial meningeal reconstruction was necessary.

So…

Junhoo knew what Mikal knew.

If it weren’t for that guy, the surgery would have likely failed.

Austin would have faced media criticism.

In the worst-case scenario, he could have been sued for medical malpractice.

And Mikal would have become the leading figure in pediatric neurosurgery.

Mikal resented Junhoo for costing him the opportunity he had almost seized. He couldn’t possibly view Junhoo favorably.

“Now, the highlight of the show,” Jimmy, sitting next to him, muttered.

“Can they really anastomose [surgically connect] the cerebral blood vessels of a three-month-old baby? It won’t be easy.”

“They can do it. If it’s Austin.”

“Why are you praising Professor Austin all of a sudden?”

Jimmy tilted his head, surprised by Mikal’s comment.

“Do you think I just disparage people indiscriminately?”

“Hahaha. That’s not what I meant…”

“When it comes to delicate procedures, there are fewer than five surgeons in the United States who can match Austin’s skill.”

Mikal nodded, genuinely acknowledging Austin’s strengths.

“But what about that friend?”

“Are you talking about the trainee named Junhoo?”

“Yes.”

“He’s bound to switch places with Professor Hector before the anastomosis. Wait, what?!”

Jimmy’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Surprisingly, there was no staff change.

Middle cerebral artery separation and anastomosis.

Junhoo was entrusted with the most crucial and challenging part of the surgery.

“I… Is that wise?”

Jimmy stammered, questioning Mikal.

“Austin must have a reason to trust Junhoo, but it’s still a long shot. Practice and real-world application are different.”

A cynical smile crept across Mikal’s lips.

In cerebral artery separation and anastomosis, the role of the first assistant is paramount.

The surgeon and the first assistant must maintain a synchronized anastomosis speed.

If one side’s anastomosis is too slow, the other side’s blood vessels could become twisted.

But could Junhoo truly keep pace with Austin’s speed?

Especially in a high-pressure situation with dozens of eyes watching and the patient’s life hanging in the balance?

‘You might have salvaged the surgery earlier, but not this time. This time, you’ll be the one to ruin it.’

Mikal affirmed inwardly.

* * *

As the middle cerebral artery was severed, a surge of blood flooded the surgical field.

Cheee.

Raymond immediately suctioned the blood, as if anticipating the moment.

The surgical field of vision cleared.

“…”

“…”

Before commencing the full-scale anastomosis, Junhoo exchanged a look with Austin.

His expression was hidden behind a mask, but Austin’s eyes conveyed determination.

Junhoo’s resolve was undoubtedly communicated to Austin as well.

The long-awaited moment of truth had arrived!

Junhoo activated the Manhwa Gong [a fictional technique to enhance senses], maximizing his five senses and sharpening his focus.

The internal energy [qi or life force] that surged from his dantian [energy center in the body] enveloped Junhoo’s entire being.

Invisible to everyone else,

Internal energy, like a hazy aura, emanated from Junhoo’s body.

‘Good. This is the feeling.’

Junhoo reveled in the heightened senses granted by Manhwa Gong.

Beep. Beep.

The mechanical sounds of the patient monitoring device, the clatter of surgical instruments, and other noises resonated like cannon fire.

The cool air in the operating room felt like the frigid wind of the Arctic, prickling his skin.

As his senses intensified,

His surgical precision naturally improved.

“11-0 Nylon (synthetic suture).”

At Junhoo’s request, Raymond handed over the unwrapped suture.

Junhoo gripped the suture needle with a needle holder and secured it.

Kigigigik!

He lifted his arm and pulled out the suture, as if drawing out noodles.

The suture was finer than a strand of hair.

The larger the number, the thinner the suture, and 11-0 was the thinnest suture available.

However, Junhoo felt no apprehension about using the 11-0 suture.

He had mastered the Yangsu Pumpkin Technique [fictional suturing technique].

He had mastered the Howol Twelve Hands [fictional suturing technique].

He had honed the martial arts techniques that aided in suturing to their limits, and he had practiced suturing countless times in his mind.

“I’ll hold it.”

Raymond brought the halved middle cerebral artery to the area on Sophia’s brain.

He positioned the blood vessel on the Willis ring [a network of arteries at the base of the brain] where it needed to be anastomosed.

Raymond’s assistance was subtle but invaluable.

He held the blood vessel steady without trembling.

He applied just the right amount of pressure.

There was no risk of rupturing the blood vessel.

Junhoo’s choice of Raymond as an assistant was truly inspired.

‘I’ll demonstrate all my skills.’

Junhoo, burning with enthusiasm, inserted the first needle into the blood vessel.

As the needle pierced the blood vessel,

The sensation of ‘bbok’ [a subtle feeling of resistance] transmitted to his fingertips.

It was a delicate sense of touch made possible by Manhwa Gong.

Thanks to this, Junhoo was able to halt the needle’s progress.

If he had pushed further, he would have undoubtedly torn the blood vessel.

The needle that passed through the middle cerebral artery continued through the blood vessel on the other side.

Hwiriririk.

Junhoo pulled the thread taut and tied a knot with swift, precise movements.

Two-handed knotting.

This was the safest knotting method, allowing for complete control of the suture and ensuring a secure and accurate knot.

His skill was perfectly honed.

His concentration was at its peak.

Furthermore, with the support of Manhwa Gong, the suture and needle holder felt like extensions of his own hands.

Junhoo completed the first knot in the blink of an eye, as if performing magic.

The tension of the suture connecting the blood vessels,

The direction of the knot, everything was perfect.

“Are you crazy? Let’s just keep going at this speed.”

“I know, but don’t you have something you forgot?”

“What is it?”

“You have to cut the knot.”

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

Raymond smiled sheepishly.

He snipped the excess thread after tying the knot with scissors.

Click!

The sound of the scissors was crisp and clear.

Working with Raymond, Junhoo continued the anastomosis at a rapid pace.

The total number of stitches required for anastomosis was twenty.

The anastomosis method was a simple interrupted suture.

A technique of tying a knot after each stitch.

When he had completed nearly half of the anastomosis,

Junhoo glanced at the blood vessel across from him.

Junhoo’s suturing speed was approximately 1.5 times faster than Austin’s.

There seemed to be no difference in accuracy.

Having come from the Mayo Clinic,

Junhoo had taken another step forward.

But there was no time for pride.

A shocking disaster struck.

“Ju… Junhoo, check the suture again.”

Raymond said, his voice trembling.

“Why?”

“The knot suddenly came loose?”

“Why would a knot that was fine suddenly come loose? Is this the time for jokes?”

“I wish it were a joke too.”

Junhoo, sensing the unusual atmosphere, examined the knots he had tied so far.

His eyes narrowed.

His forehead furrowed.

Wrinkles appeared on his brow.

A major incident, almost unbelievable, had occurred.

Raymond’s observation was correct.

The suture was gradually loosening.

As the connection between the blood vessels weakened, red blood seeped out.

‘What the hell, why!’

Junhoo cursed inwardly for the first time in a long time.

The anastomosis had been perfect.

It wasn’t arrogance, but the senses he experienced through Manhwa Gong assured him of it.

But why was this misfortune happening?

Could it be?

He formed a hypothesis.

Junhoo immediately began testing it.

First, he stretched out the suture he was holding.

He lightly grasped the suture with forceps and pulled.

Thud!

The suture snapped weakly.

“What are you doing now? There’s not much time left to redo the anastomosis.”

Raymond, who had remained calm throughout the surgery, lost his composure.

His eyes darted around.

His voice trembled.

“I know why the anastomosis failed.”

“Why did it fail?”

“Ha… The suture is defective.”

Junhoo glared at the suture with resentment.

Defective products sometimes occur among the consumables used in surgery.

Junhoo had encountered similar cases three or four times in Korea.

But why!

Why did the defect have to occur during such a critical and urgent surgery like today?

Junhoo tossed the suture he had been using into the gokban [surgical instrument tray].

Tung!

The suture needle and the gokban collided, and a hollow echo reverberated.

“10 blade.”

Junhoo removed the knots he had made so far one by one with the blade he received from Raymond.

The situation had reverted to the beginning.