In Korea (1)
‘It’s worse than I thought…’
Choi Ki-seok’s eyebrows twitched.
If the cut is not severe, the wound closes on its own as the muscles contract.
However, the wound still remained on the patient’s chest.
That means there was a problem with the chest wall as well.
“Sir. What should I do? Should I stop the bleeding again and take an X-ray?”
“This is enough to stop the bleeding. And treatment takes priority over examination. You intubate the trachea and maintain breathing. I will close the wound first.”
“yes!”
Two people took action at the same time.
While Youngho Lee managed breathing, Kiseok Choi applied a sterile sealing dressing. This is to prevent infection and prevent more breathing than necessary from entering the chest cavity.
“A respirator was put on.”
“Give oxygen at a high concentration. There is a high possibility that it is an agitated chest. Since the pulse is still low, mix epinephrine and one ampoule of painkiller into the IV fluid.”
Ki-Seok Choi began chest tube intubation with the assistance of an intern.
Fuuuuuk.
As the tube was inserted through the incision, I could vividly feel the pleura opening in my hand.
The tube was then connected to a drainage container and the incision site and tube were firmly fixed.
Treatment to prevent tension pneumothorax was completed.
“Vitals are coming back. Can we check now?”
“Iknow, right.”
The two people sighed in relief as they looked at the patient monitoring device.
Soon, various tests, including a chest X-ray, were performed, and the test results were released.
Because the treatment was administered in a timely manner, there were no significant problems.
The two checked the patient’s condition one more time and came out of the building.
“I lived because of my senior.”
Youngho Lee wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.
The moment I saw the patient for the first time, I was dizzy.
The problem was that he had no experience treating patients with stab wounds, and the blood-stained bandages stimulated fear.
“There is no one in the country right now. I almost killed someone with my own hands.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. That’s how you grow. It’s not like I was good from the beginning, right?”
Choi Ki-seok comforted Lee Young-ho, who lowered his head.
In fact, the problem today was not with Lee Young-ho, but with the Korean medical community.
Shortage of medical personnel due to avoidance of surgery.
The place where this phenomenon appears most clearly is thoracic surgery.
How could it be that the only person capable of providing emergency treatment was one first-year resident?
“You idiot. Are you okay?”
Choi Ki-seok used an encouragement skill by placing his hand on Lee Young-ho’s shoulder. However, as soon as the skill was activated, I ended up winking without realizing it.
[You have used a fatal encouragement skill.]
[The target’s immunity, regeneration, and confidence are greatly increased.]
[Special effect sublimation is granted as a bonus.]
[Sublimation: Emotions such as regret and self-blame are transformed into emotions such as courage and the spirit of challenge. do. The duration is this week.]
“What is that?”
Lee Young-ho distanced himself from him and was fed up. However, he also smiled as if the unexpected wink was funny.
“Just pretend you didn’t see it. Sometimes I do crazy things that I don’t even know about.”
“Anyway, senior. What are you doing in Korea all of a sudden? Aren’t you training at Meijo?”
“It’s long, so to speak.”
Ki-Seok Choi briefly explained the Hire system and the vacation he received as a result.
“It’s a higher system… It’s so amazing. I never thought there would be a program that shortens the training period.”
“Yes. This is unthinkable in most hospitals. Usually, they try to extend the training period somehow and have them do chores. For your information, the Hire system only exists in Mayjo in the United States.”
“It’s amazing in many ways.”
Youngho Lee nodded slightly.
“Everything’s going well at Uijindae, right?”
“A lot of things happened. I guess I’d have to stay up all night to explain what happened while you were away?”
“Is it that much?”
“Yes. Each and every one of them was a spectacle. I may have been quieter when I had a senior.”
Youngho Lee spread his index and middle fingers wide as he spoke.
“First, let me tell you about two recent events. One is that Professor Kwon Il-soo left Uijin University Hospital.”
“You finally left.”
Choi Ki-seok bit his lip slightly.
Kwon Il-soo is a rare surgeon who has both a heart for patients and skills.
Thanks to Kwon Il-soo, I learned how to operate on pediatric patients…
“Have you been scouted by another hospital?”
“Well… it wasn’t like I had decided on a place to go and left.”
“I wanted to see you while I was here.”
“I was also disappointed that Professor Kwon wasn’t there.”
Youngho Lee paused before continuing.
“And the one thing left is love news.”
“romantic relationship?”
“Yes. This is very heart-warming love news. Professor Yoon and Teacher Kim started teaching materials last week.”
“Good.”
Choi Ki-seok answered without a moment of hesitation.
“When you’re in a relationship, there are times when you hold each other back, and there are times when it’s the other way around, and you two are closer to the latter.”
“Do you really think so?”
“What does that question mean?”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. By the way, the Saber team is undergoing surgery. Would you like to come and watch? Everyone is going to see it anyway.”
“of course.”
Choi Ki-seok headed to the operating room with Lee Young-ho.
With the help of the head nurse of the operating room, who had developed a close relationship with Lee Young-ho in the past, I settled into the surgical observation room.
“I’ll be on emergency standby, so I’ll see you later.”
“Okay. Take care, and if anything happens, call me right away.”
Choi Ki-seok’s eyes turned to the monitor.
As a result of using the Eye of Hippocrates, the patient was found to be suffering from left ventricular aneurysm (a condition in which the left ventricle wall is thin and saggy).
This is a typical case requiring saber surgery.
The surgeon was Hyukpil Jang.
The first assistant is Jihye Yoon and
the second assistant is Taesik Kim.
The third assistant was Seo Ji-hoon, and the team stats were as follows.
[Affiliation: New Saber.]
[Team level: 3/5]
[Cohesion: 3/5]
[Skill level 3.5/5]
The new Saber team was each level higher than the past Saber team.
As the heart clinic became established, the number of surgical cases increased, and surgical skills also likely increased.
‘He’s not dead yet.’
A smile appeared on Choi Ki-seok’s lips.
I thought I’d forgotten about Saber surgery because I’d only been doing general surgery for the past few months.
As I watched the surgery, the surgical process and treatment came to mind perfectly.
I felt like I could assist right away.
My heart continued to feel hot while watching the surgery.
Thanks to this, I once again realized the truth: my dream is to become the best thoracic surgeon in the world.
How much time has passed?
The patient’s chest closed and the heart-lung machine was turned off.
The surgery was completed successfully and the staff came out one by one.
“Hello. Long time no see.”
Choi Ki-seok left the observation room and stood in front of the Saber team.
* * *
Thoracic surgery lounge.
Saber team staff, Lee Young-ho, and Choi Ki-seok gathered in one place.
The staff asked various questions about his surprise return, and Choi Ki-seok was busy answering them.
I liked the bustle that I couldn’t feel at Meijo.
“By the way, how long has it been since I last saw this?”
Jang Hyuk-pil took a sip of coffee and stared at Choi Ki-seok.
“It will be about seven months.”
“Has it happened already? Time flies so fast.”
“I’m sorry for not contacting you often. And congratulations on your promotion, Manager Jang.”
“Hearing it from your mouth, it feels a bit unfamiliar.”
“You have to get used to it.”
“Yes. That is correct.”
“How is life at Meijo? Are you currently on surgical rotation?”
“Yes, that’s right. I recently completed my training in general surgery, and after my vacation, I will train in neurosurgery.”
“It would be good if our country’s thoracic surgeons were trained like the United States. They come in without basic knowledge.”
Hyukpil Jang frowned and continued speaking.
“Professor Song, are you healthy?”
“Yes. You’ve gained a little weight recently. I found a good Korean restaurant nearby.”
“That’s a good thing. I’m saying it now, but it was true that Professor Song was abroad.”
After a moment of silence, Choi Ki-seok spoke.
“Before I came here, I looked up articles on Uijin University’s cardiology clinic. I heard that it had surpassed Daesung University and was in the top five for thoracic surgery.”
“I asked the deputy hospital director to play a role in the media. Because patients prefer hospitals that raise issues.”
“….”
“It’s too early to ask a question now, but I have a question.”
“Yes. Please tell me.”
“Are you going to return to Uijindae after training is over?”
Other staff members’ eyes lit up at Jang Hyuk-pil’s question.
They were also curious about Choi Ki-seok’s answer.
“Honestly, when I first left, I thought I had to come back. But…”
“But?”
“Now, my thoughts have changed a bit. In fact, I have a big picture in mind. When I return, I want to move according to that.”
“It’s a big picture… I asked a question, but my curiosity only grew.”
Jang Hyuk-pil chuckled and continued.
“Does that include returning to Uijin University?”
“yes.”
“Okay, that’s it. I have work left, so I’ll stop talking and there’s a company dinner tomorrow, so you can attend?”
“of course.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow.”
Choi Ki-seok left the break room with Jang Hyuk-pil and other Saber team staff.
At the same time, I inspected each staff member with the eyes of Hippocrates.
This is to check whether everyone is healthy and whether their skills have developed.
“Manager Jang. You were here.”
A man blocked the group’s path with a familiar voice.
This is Jo Ji-hwan.
Choi Ki-seok found the letters “Vice-Hospital Director” written on his gown awkward.
“Where have you been without answering the phone?”
“I’m sorry. Ki-seok, who was in America, came over and we had a quick chat.”
“If you are Kiseok, are you by any chance Choi Kiseok?”
“Hello? Vice hospital director.”
Choi Ki-seok came to the front of the group and greeted Jo Ji-hwan, and Jo Ji-hwan stared at him with an expressionless face.
“It’s been a long time. I think it’s too early to return. Were you kicked out while training?”
“I think they were hoping I would be kicked out, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. I got reward leave for my early promotion.”
“Huh! You’re leaving just because you ate foreign food. Or are you not planning on returning to Uijin University?”
“Nothing has been decided yet.”
The gazes of the two people met tightly.
“It’s better not to be too worried about training in America. It’s not as easy a place as you think. You just haven’t met your partner yet.”
“If you have any advice, I would be grateful.”
“Cancer. It’s not just advice. It’s better to keep this in your heart.”
Jo Ji-hwan’s gaze shifted to Jang Hyuk-pil.
“Director Jang, please see me for a moment. I have something to discuss regarding VIP treatment.”
“all right.”
As Jo Ji-hwan and Jang Hyuk-pil left, the hostile atmosphere surrounding the group disappeared.
“senior. Just pretend it was a trick.”
“….”
“Senior?”
“Huh? ah. okay. You are right. See you all at the company dinner tomorrow.”
Choi Ki-seok said goodbye to his colleagues and headed to the cardiology department.
‘What on earth is going on? Did I see something wrong?’
I couldn’t hide my embarrassment the whole time I was walking.
Something that couldn’t have happened and shouldn’t have happened.
Jo Ji-hwan’s tendency as seen through the eyes of Hippocrates.
It was patient-centered.
