Chapter 669 - 333: Confidence in Follow-up Consultation

May 8th, morning, six o'clock.

Hand Surgery Ward.

Lu Cheng and Dai Linfang arrived in the ward dressed in scrubs, while the patients and their families were still asleep.

Dai Linfang asked, "How about coming back tomorrow?"

Lu Cheng glanced at Dai Linfang, "We said yesterday we'd come today, and we're on duty tomorrow. Do you think we'll have time to come?"

"I currently can't make patients as happy as on a production line."

While speaking, Lu Cheng turned on the light.

The patients in beds 13-15 were all startled awake but no one complained.

This is a hospital, unexpected situations happen a lot at night, and being woken up by patients in the adjacent wards is quite common.

In bed 14 was a patient who had undergone surgery by Lu Cheng. The young couple slowly opened their eyes and recognized Lu Cheng.

"Director Lu? Why are you here?"

"Xue?" Lu Cheng couldn't remember the names of every patient like he used to, given how many he's handled.

"My name is Xue Xielong, Director Lu." Xue Xielong quickly introduced himself.

Dai Linfang skillfully used scissors to cut open his dressing, and after seeing that the wound wasn't necrotic or blackened, he breathed a sigh of relief, "We determined the wound was good during surgery."

"That's why we didn't use VAC, and now it looks like the recovery is indeed good."

"How do you feel now?" Lu Cheng asked.

Xue Xielong shook his head, "Director Lu, I don't feel anything."

"Director Xiang and the others said the surgery was very successful, the foot was saved. But I don't feel anything, and it doesn't hurt much."

"Instead, it's the upper part of the wound, my thigh that hurts."

It's normal for post-operative patients to feel pain, it's a 'blessing' only normal patients have.

In cases of severe injury, the nerves are also damaged; under such circumstances, you expect to feel pain and numbness?

These patients don't even need 'painkillers', but they do need swelling treatments…

Lu Cheng nodded, "Not feeling is also normal. Our current level cannot integrate Limb Preservation Surgery and functional reconstruction."

"Can't rush things, nor will we try."

"In your situation, saving the leg was the best we could do."

"Generally, patients in your case require continuous VAC negative pressure suction, but your situation seems slightly better than others…"

Xue Xielong smiled lightly, "Thank you, Dr. Lu."

"I noticed others have a machine with them, it looks inconvenient."

At first, Xue Xielong was worried why others had the machine post-surgery and he didn't.

Xiang Dahong and others explained the reason to him, which calmed him a lot.

"But Director Lu, what should I do in the future? I not only lack sensation, but also can't lift it." Xue Xielong further asked.

Lu Cheng said, "Focus on recovery first, as we've already told you before. In cases of severe injuries, saving the lower limb from amputation is already quite an achievement."

"Wanting to retain lower limb function, that's a different track altogether."

Xue Xielong couldn't quite grasp this, looking earnest, "But if I still can't move, what's the point of saving the limb?"

Lu Cheng replied, "It's an extra piece that looks somewhat normal?"

"Didn't anyone tell you this during your pre-surgery consultation?"

Dai Linfang said, "How is it possible, I personally talked with you, I emphasized it at least four times!"

"Blood flow issues are fine, sensory and motor functions are still normally impaired."

The young man's wife said, "Director Lu, Dr. Dai did mention it, but?"

Lu Cheng said, "It's good that it's been mentioned. For the subsequent treatment, wait for Director Xiang to arrange it for you."

"Our trauma center only performs Limb Preservation Surgery. As the name suggests, it's solely about preserving the limb, not responsible for functional reconstruction."

"Nor can we take on that responsibility."

"As for your wound, it's okay to leave it open like this. After rounds, let your supervising doctor change your dressing and rebandage it."

The young man said, "But, Dr. Dai said there is a chance for function recovery."

"That's a different kind of surgery." Lu Cheng interrupted.

"Where's the other patient, which bed number? Once we're done, we can head back to rest."

The young man wanted to say more, but his wife kept giving him looks to keep him quiet.

After seeing Lu Cheng and Dai Linfang leave, the woman said, "Others have the same situation as you, no need to ask too much."

"How could I not ask? I can't live like this forever. What if asking reveals something?"

"Also, this Dr. Lu, why only do things halfway…"

"Couldn't he just accomplish everything in one go?" the young man's voice grumbled...

Six thirty-five A.M.

Lu Cheng and Dai Linfang walked out of the hand surgery ward, Dai Linfang tutted in amazement, "Lu Cheng, you're going viral."

"So far, our group hasn't encountered a second-round amputation case."

The so-called second round refers to failure of limb preservation surgery, poor blood flow, ultimately requiring another surgery for amputation.

Lu Cheng, not in a good mood, said, "I have enough self-awareness to take preventive medical measures in advance."

"If it can't be done, don't stir up trouble."

Dai Linfang didn't argue, albeit exhausted, rubbing his eyes until they were dotted with sleep crumbs, "Being able to precisely select cases within our capability is a skill in itself."

"Not discussing it, let's hurry home!"

"If we still don't rest today, forty-eight hours won't solve the problem."

The two had taken over at eight o'clock on the sixth, now it's almost seven on the eighth.

Ninth is another shift.

Can't keep pushing like this.

Lu Cheng: "It's much better than the previous shift."

"On the next shift, no more than thirty-six hours, even twenty-four hours, not a minute more, no overtime."