Chapter 2400 - 2340: Courage
They definitely want you to take on more responsibilities and tasks. By doing more, your mindset gets trained, allowing you to adapt to clinical practice sooner and work independently earlier. Students without capability, even after graduation, cannot be trusted by their teachers to take on such tasks. This fundamental difference is not unique to the medical industry; it’s the same across all sectors.
What’s the attitude of the other surgical team members on site?
Everyone is very calm, indicating they have great trust in Second Brother Cao and follow his arrangements. If there was no trust, like when Zhang Tinghai initially didn’t trust a certain Chief Surgeon, they would have sneaked out to ask others.
Second Brother Cao is truly a versatile immortal, wearing surgical gown and cap, hiding his handsome and dashing appearance resembling a male protagonist. His hands tucked into the standby pockets on his chest, waiting to be used. This demeanor, after concealing his ethereal aura, makes him even more like an Immortal Brother transformed into a cunning Earth God, his small swirling black eyes examining the three "Great Sage Sun Wukong," saying, "Let’s begin."
On the operating table, do not gaze at the teacher’s magnificent appearance, focus on your work, young people.
The undertone in the mentor’s words was heard by the three young doctors, who straightened up. It’s not possible for them to be mesmerized by the teacher’s looks, but it’s very likely they’ll be impressed by the teacher’s surgical skills. Unexpectedly, the teacher, not playing by their expectations, swiftly withdrew his impressive hands, not letting them watch.
In the operating room, the sound of music requested by the nurses began playing, it was the song "Courage."
The nurse sisters were truly adept at setting the mood. They really needed courage.
Open chest surgery, Student Xie had previously had the fortunate opportunity to witness at Guo Zhi Hospital, giving her a basic practical field understanding of the whole thoracic surgery procedure. Seeing is one thing, doing is another. Doing it requires hands-on work, which is quite different from just watching.
It’s impossible for there to be no emotional response. However, like the other staff on site, she trusts the Chief Surgeon. Doctor Duan seems to have less seniority, but like Doctor Song, he’s a naturally talented surgeon who has been the Chief Surgeon multiple times, so there should be no major issues.
Student Pan Shihua also slowly adjusted from his initial nervous mindset. Indeed, he had nothing to fear. The outcome of the surgery is far removed from his responsibilities as the Second Assistant. The success or failure of the surgery critically hinges on the Chief Surgeon and the mentor handling things. From the attitude of the Guodu people on site, it’s clear they see him and Student Xie as insignificant, not affecting the surgery, thus they are calm.
As with all surgical operations, there’s no need to detail skin marking and disinfection. After the first incision, assistants handle hemostasis and prepare retractors.
The electrosurgical unit started buzzing, slicing through skin and subcutaneous tissue, and soon the doctors will reach the first critical surgical milestone.
For cardiothoracic, thoracic, and thyroid surgeries, the most common incision for open chest operations is the median sternotomy. This incision starts at the jugular notch and ends below the xiphoid process. Both the jugular notch and below the xiphoid process are anatomical landmarks on the sternum, meaning that the purpose of this surgical incision is to split the sternum from top to bottom along the midline.
It’s akin to splitting wood, splitting the largest bone in the human chest in half, which sounds quite daunting. It’s no wonder patients prefer thoracoscopic surgery as a first choice, opting for surgeons to split the bone only when necessary.
Why do doctors have to make such an incision to split the sternum? Is there no other place for the doctors to cut?