Surgery Godfather-Chapter 387 - 0366 The Helplessness of the Dream Team
Chapter 387: Chapter 0366: The Helplessness of the Dream Team Chapter 387 -0366: The Helplessness of the Dream Team A tense case discussion is underway in the conference room of Magic City Sixth Hospital.
Chaired by Hong Zhigang, the main participants are from Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Tumor Surgery, Tumor Internal Medicine, and various other departments such as Cardiology and Respiratory Medicine.
Dean Chen from Magic City Sixth Hospital and Director Peng from the Medical Department are also present.
Among the many experts, there are several specialists who have come from the United States for consultation.
The case being discussed is that of Academician Feng Tiancheng, who is a renowned Orthopedist. Both Magic City Sixth Hospital and Hong Zhigang personally are committed to providing him with the utmost care.
Hong Zhigang has invited Professor John Ansen from the Neurosurgery Department of the Mayo Clinic, Professor Griffin from the Anderson Cancer Center, and Professor Woodhead from the Twin Cities Spine Center in the United States.
Without question, this team assembled to treat Professor Feng is a dream team in today’s world.
Professor Feng’s tumour, located in his cervical medulla and medulla oblongata, has compromised his respiratory and circulatory centers, leading to slowed breathing and heart rate.
Due to respiratory depression and arrhythmia, and an inability to increase blood oxygen saturation, he was admitted to the ICU with acid-base and electrolyte imbalances. He was admitted for treatment which included mechanical ventilation, following that he improved.
After a week, his ventilator tube was removed. As it stands, with oxygen support, his blood oxygen saturation is maintained above 95%, his acid-base and electrolyte balance has been corrected. Despite this, his heart rate and respiratory rate remains slow; his heart beats approximately 50 times per minute and breathes 16 times per minute.
If his heart rate falls further, a cardiac pacemaker may be needed for implantation. If he experiences further respiratory depression, intubation may be required again along with the assistance of a ventilator.
“The tumour is high in vascularization and originates from the upper cervical cord; it grows aggressively through the base of the skull into the medulla. The tumour has now merged with the respiratory and circulatory center tissues; during resection, the respiratory and circulatory centers will be damaged inevitably.”
“This is akin to removing the yolk from an egg without damaging the egg white. However, in this case, the yolk and egg white are intertwined and have permeated each other. Who can completely remove the yolk without damaging the egg white in such a situation?”
“Once the breathing and heart rate begin to slow down, they will gradually stop within a few months. If life boundaries are breached, or if a foramen magnum hernia is induced in the meantime, the patient may die at any moment…”
Professor John Ansen from the Department of Neurosurgery at the Mayo Clinic spoke in an American accent.
He expressed his regret for being unable to help, as the Neurosurgery Department of the Mayo Clinic is ranked first in the United States, and John Ansen is among the world’s leading neurosurgeons.
Professor Griffin of the Anderson Cancer Center, a bald and overweight man with sparse, curly golden hair around his head, loosened his tie and said: “This kind of chordoma, without pathological examination, we will temporarily call it chordoma. Current surgical success rates are less than one percent, which is essentially close to zero. The few successful cases have been ones where the tumour and respiratory circulatory center are not obviously mixed. In Professor Feng’s case, even with the use of laser surgery, we could not avoid causing damage. No one can challenge this kind of surgery. Currently, this is forbidden in the surgical field.”
Professor Woodhead from the Twin Cities Spine Center, who appears fit and energetic, explained while pointing at the anatomical model on the screen:
“Exposure is also a problem. Neurosurgery involves exposure by joining the occipital craniotomy and posterior cervix, opening the posterior occipital craniotomy to expose the medulla, and opening the posterior cervical craniotomy to expose the upper cervical spinal cord. Then, the upper cervical spinal cord and medulla must be removed. Either they are not removed, or removal will result in damage. The tumour and the circulatory centers have converged, making it impossible for us to act surgically.”
“Hong, I suggest you abandon the surgery and maintain his current state. Let nature take its course. Moreover, given the age of the patient, and having undergone resuscitation once, his current state will not withstand the trauma of surgery; not to mention the success rate of this surgery is almost negligible, hence the surgery is meaningless and will only hasten death…”
Professor John Ansen spread his hands, indicating that everyone had done their best, but it was to no avail.
Dean Chen looked towards Hong Zhigang, who flipped through the medical records in hand. He was not willing to give up. Is there really no way?
He knew a man close to eighty years old wouldn’t necessarily fight for a virtually impossible surgery, but he couldn’t just watch his mentor pass away like this. He wanted to do something.
These world-class experts are all at their wits’ end. This implies that they could only helplessly watch his mentor pass away which could be in two or three months’ time, or even as early as tomorrow.
At this moment, Hong Zhigang’s heart was on fire, he was in deep pain. The mentor who had greater graces than the sea for him, he himself was helpless to rescue.
Even though his mentor is nearly eighty years old, judging from his other physiological indicators, he would not be fatally unwell if not for this tumour.
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“Hong, when you sent me the patient’s information, I used virtual reality technology for surgical simulations and did not succeed once. Each simulation ended in failure due to cessation of breathing and heartbeat,” Professor John Ansen said again.
The virtual reality technology he mentioned is the world’s most advanced technology, capable of creating a virtual representation of an organ’s anatomy and physiology.
Using virtual touch technology, surgeons can perform surgeries on the virtual organs. If a certain area is cut, it will bleed. If an important area is injured, physiological interference will be simulated, closely mimicking real surgeries.
This is Professor John Ansen’s secret weapon for tackling high-risk surgeries, he would use this system for simulation.
However, no matter how true-to-life the technology, it cannot truly model the complex human body. It can only simply model anatomy and physiology; if the simulated surgery does not lead to a successful outcome, the chances of success within the human body are nearly impossible.
“Professor Hong?” Wen Rentao looked at Hong Zhigang, observing his unusual demeanor.
A tear slowly glistened in the corner of Hong Zhigang’s eye. He quickly took out a tissue to wipe it away. “It’s nothing. Let’s keep thinking. There has to be a way.”
No matter how difficult the surgery, in his hands, danger was turned into safety, with success in the end.
The atmosphere of the entire venue fell into a lull, today’s recollection was mainly about listening to the opinions of American experts, the hospital’s experts had already discussed many times.
“I’d suggest palliative radiotherapy, which may prolong the survival period; if needed, I can help arrange it, and recommend the EDGE non-invasive surgery system. I can help connect with the Tumor Center at the Henry Ford Hospital in the United States,” Professor Griffin broke the silence.
The EDGE non-invasive surgery system, the most advanced tumor radiotherapy equipment in the world.
“Thank you for all your valuable opinions. We’ll consider them again,” said Hong Zhigang, bowing to everyone as he stood up.
Despite receiving help from several colleagues who traveled across the Pacific for a consultation, there’s not much they could do, for this case was too complicated. After all, the physicians were human, they weren’t gods.
The consultation meeting came to an end, and the American professors were led to tour the hospital.
“ICU called, Old Feng wants to see you,” Wen Rentao whispered to Hong Zhigang.
“Alright, I’ll go right away, you stay with our guests. Have the MRI results for bed 16 come out?” asked Hong Zhigang.
“Yes, they have,” said Wen Rentao, being highly informed about the patients in their department.
Hong Zhigang entrusted Wen Rentao with the task of accompanying the American professors. He was very satisfied with this student’s technical strength and communication skills.
Hong Zhigang rushed to the ICU. While his teacher was still alert, his heartbeat and respiration rate were slow. This was due to the tumor’s interference with the central respiratory and circulatory system. He did not know where this lifeline was; once it was crossed, his mentor would pass away.
Hong Zhigang put on an isolation gown, a cap, a face mask, and shoe covers and entered the ICU.
Upon seeing Hong Zhigang coming, Professor Feng extended his hand and said clearly, “Zhigang!”
“Professor, I’m here. We have just finished the consultation. Professor John Ansen from the Mayo Clinic’s Department of Neurosurgery, Professor Griffin from the Anderson Cancer Center, and Professor Woodhaid from the Twin Cities Spine Center. They have discussed the surgical plan together. They all have extensive experience in this area and the success rate of the operation is very high,” said Hong Zhigang as he adjusted the professor’s oxygen tube and held his hand.
Professor Feng gave a faint smile, “Zhigang, I appreciate the sentiment, but as doctors, we must be realistic. Given my current condition, the success rate of surgery based on the existing reports is less than one percent. For complex upper cervical and medullary tumors like mine, our hospital has no precedent. You all don’t need to hesitate. Just arrange for my surgery. You will be the chief surgeon. If it fails, perform an autopsy on me after surgery to thoroughly understand the pathological features of this kind of tumor and the surgical methods. This will take our hospital’s surgical level for complex tumors at the base of the upper cervical spine and skull to a new level. The advancement of medicine is fraught with risks and difficulties. Even if I did not have this disease, how many more years could I live?”
“Professor, you should rest. The EDGE non-invasive surgical system from the Tumor Center at the Henry Ford Hospital is quite suitable for your condition, and I’m currently in contact with them,” Hong Zhigang comforted his teacher.
“At the end of the day, the EDGE is radiotherapy. Its precision is only 0.2 millimeters. This cannot guarantee that the central respiratory and circulatory system is not damaged. If a laser knife is used in surgery, the chances of success are greater because the precision of the current laser knife has reached 0.1mm, or even less. There is a glimmer of hope,” said Professor Feng, whose mind was currently clear.
“Did the MRI results for bed 16 come out?” Professor Feng suddenly remembered, which was the reason he had asked for Hong Zhigang.
“Yes, they came out!”
“Show it to me.”
Professor Feng coughed a few times, trying to sit up, but Hong Zhigang immediately held him down, “Professor, don’t move, I’ll bring it to you.”
Through the glass door, Hong Zhigang waved to the doctor in the ICU, “Can I borrow a tablet, please?”
The doctor brought over a tablet. Hong Zhigang logged into the hospital system, pulled up the patient’s MRI, and then slightly raised the professor’s bed.
“I am not used to seeing this thing,” Professor Feng complained. He preferred viewing the film on a light box, but now that he was staying in the ICU, he had to make do.
“This is likely a substantial hemangioblastoma, you need to be careful when removing it, these blood vessels are very thick, so while removing it, ligate the blood vessels. This is the dangerous area of thoracic spine blood supply, remember to protect the blood supply of the thoracic spine. Especially this blood vessel, be very careful not to damage it. Once it’s damaged, the spine will be ischemic, which may cause paralysis after surgery. Remember, remember! Is the surgery scheduled?” Professor Feng reiterated.
“It’s scheduled, Rentao will be the chief surgeon,” said Hong Zhigang as he massaged Professor Feng’s leg to help maintain blood flow. If the patient remained in bed for too long, it could lead to a venous thrombosis in the lower extremities.
“Rentao is a good kid, but after all, he’s still a young man with less experience. You must be on the stage as his assistant. This kind of operation can easily fall into a trap, and there shouldn’t be any slack or negligence,” Professor Feng instructed Hong Zhigang with great care.
“He’s stable. To remove this tumor, we need to use a microscope. He now operates more steadily than I do under the microscope. But rest assured, I will be present in the operation,” Hong Zhigang smiled.
Professor Feng put down the tablet and lay half-reclined to rest. This could ease the burden on his heart.
“Once you’re better, I’ll take you to our countryside for a rest for a month. Now is the time when you can go fishing in the small river,” Hong Zhigang talked to his teacher while watching the monitor.
“Ah, I’m afraid I won’t be able to go. You go ahead and be busy, I’ll take a nap.”
Professor Feng squinted his eyes.
Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com
