Chapter 419 - 268: Drawn by Reputation

Chapter 419: Chapter 268: Drawn by Reputation

The pancreas is located behind the peritoneum, surrounded by an extremely complex network of blood vessels.

The splenic artery and splenic vein, in particular, are almost pressed right up against it.

To ensure the safety of the operation, removing the spleen along with the tumor is the most prudent approach.

And to perform such a procedure, an excellent field of view is essential.

Therefore, a massive incision must be made across the upper abdomen, above the peritoneum, severing core muscle groups like the rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles...

That’s how it’s normally done.

But Jiang He was twenty years ahead of the world in medical technology.

He, however, had a whole new approach in mind.

Using this new line of thinking, he could save the girl while also minimizing her suffering as much as possible.

Saving a patient with less physical trauma is always the better option.

’He only had to think of Teacher Shen to know that.’

’If an operation could be avoided, he would never want to perform one.’

’To live a long, happy life with Teacher Shen—that was his ultimate dream.’

’If possible, he even wished he could eradicate cancer forever, so no one would ever need medicine for it again.’

’If some kind of cancer vaccine appeared in the future, one where a single shot would grant immunity, that would be perfect...’

’I’d make everyone get it!’

Jiang He reined in his thoughts and said softly, "Director Wang is right. The tumor is bleeding and must be removed as soon as possible. Conservative treatment won’t work."

The light in the girl’s eyes dimmed, and her hand slowly went limp.

Jiang He added, "However, I do have a new plan. If you’re willing, you could consider an option that avoids a large incision."

The girl and her mother were both stunned.

Jiang He explained, "To put it simply, I plan to use a minimally invasive method to remove the tumor. Not only that, but I will also do my utmost to preserve your spleen."

"This way, we can preserve your spleen’s immune function. After a few months of good rest post-surgery, you might still have a chance to get back on stage."

"Of course, this surgery carries a higher risk. The decision to proceed is up to you."

Tao Yuege’s mother stood frozen for a moment, then asked cautiously, "Higher... Exactly how much higher?"

Jiang He answered frankly, "It’s a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure. It requires dissecting the tumor without damaging any of the surrounding fragile blood vessels. Currently, there are only a handful of doctors in the country who can successfully perform this operation."

He paused, then laid out the worst-case scenario. "If massive bleeding occurs during the laparoscopic procedure, we would have to immediately convert to an open-abdominal rescue. The risk of blood loss at that point would be even greater than with a conventional open surgery from the start."

At the mention of massive bleeding, the mother’s lips trembled violently.

She shook her head fiercely. "No, no... Director Jiang, we won’t take that risk! Her life is more important than anything. If she can’t dance, she can’t dance. As long as she’s alive, that’s all that matters..."

She went to the bedside, clutched her daughter’s hand tightly, and tears streamed down her face. "Yuege, listen to Mom. Let’s choose the safe option, okay?"

Lying in the hospital bed, Tao Yuege bit down hard on her lower lip.

She was sweating profusely from the pain, but her gaze was fixed intently on Jiang He. Finally, she asked stubbornly:

"Doctor... you said only a few people in the country can do it... Is there anyone at our hospital who can?"

Jiang He: "Yes. I can."

"No!"

The mother cut in, crying, "Yuege, are you crazy? The doctor already said the risk is extremely high! What if you don’t make it off the operating table? Are you willing to throw your life away?!"

"But Mom, if I can’t dance, what’s the difference between being alive and being dead?!"

Tao Yuege cried out in anguish as her tears broke free.

Sobbing, she pleaded, "Mom, I started practicing my fundamentals when I was five. It’s been fourteen years... I’ve broken my toes, I’ve torn ligaments, and I never gave up... Mom, my teacher said I have a lot of talent, that if I keep practicing, I’ll have a chance to compete for the Taoli Cup next year... I want to join the national dance company, I want to be a principal dancer, I want to represent our country on international tours. You know this is my lifelong dream... Mom, I’m begging you, let me try one last time. Just one last time..."

Her face streamed with tears, the mother was rendered speechless.

Tao Yuege looked at Jiang He and said:

"Doctor, I choose the minimally invasive procedure. If I really don’t make it off the operating table... I’ll accept it."

...

...

「Leaving the Emergency Department.」

Liang Shaojun finally couldn’t hold it in any longer. He said, "Chief, what you just promised the family was... a spleen-preserving laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy?"

"Correct."

"Chief, isn’t that... isn’t that way too risky?"

It wasn’t that Liang Shaojun didn’t trust Jiang He’s skills.

In 2008, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was considered a mature procedure...

But using a laparoscope for pancreatic surgery? That was universally acknowledged as a massive challenge!

He tried to persuade him, "The tumor is bleeding, so there’s bound to be local edema and adhesions. And you want to preserve the spleen on top of that—the wall of the splenic vein is paper-thin! If it tears during the laparoscopic procedure, you’ll have instant massive bleeding. By then, it’ll be too late to even convert to an open rescue!"

Standing to the side, Meng Shiyu was also scratching his head as he listened.

He had indeed learned about spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with conservation of the splenic vessels (the Kimura procedure) in textbooks.

But that procedure, even when performed open, was an extremely difficult Level 4 Surgery.

’And now Jiang He is actually going to perform it laparoscopically?’

’Impossible. Ab-so-lutely impossible.’

Jiang He didn’t break his stride, saying nonchalantly:

"Old Liang, I’m aware of all the risks you mentioned. Prepare for the preoperative conference. Go notify Dean Yang and Vice Dean Zhang. This is a high-level surgery; it requires signed authorization from the hospital leadership."

Liang Shaojun didn’t know what else he could say to change his mind.

In the end, he could only sigh and say, "Understood. I’ll get right on it."

...

...

「Affiliated Hospital No. 1, Administration Building, Small Conference Room.」

Executive Vice Dean Yang Xu, Vice Dean Zhang Sui, and the head of the Medical Affairs Department were all present.

Liang Shaojun, Meng Shiyu, and the other members of the medical team sat in the back row, shaking in their boots.