Chapter 234: Chapter 235: Chen’s Conception

Chen Cang stated the facts straightforwardly, the price of a single thread ranged from a few yuan to several thousand yuan at various levels.

The pricing of medical devices was even confusing for Chen Cang.

A bone surgery instrument, similar to an ear scoop, would set you back almost ten thousand yuan, and something like a tongs used in surgeries cost several ten thousands of yuan without ever dropping in price. The key issue was that these were still not manufacturable domestically.

Chen Cang didn’t understand these things, but he always felt it was a profiteering industry.

However, the differences between various consumables, such as hemostatic gauzes and microfilament threads, were still significant. Once sewn into the human body, their external coating could effectively play a significant role.

After listening to Chen Cang’s explanation, the chef was slightly stunned, “Is it really that amazing?”

Chen Cang nodded, “Yeah, for example, you are a chef. You must know the difference between a good kitchen knife and a cheap one, right? Moreover, this type of thread stays inside your body permanently. The difference is substantial. These threads are sold by the piece, and one alone can cost several hundred yuan. There are differences in toughness and durability too. Since tendons are stretchable and motile tissues, there are many considerations when stitching them.”

After finishing his explanation, Chen Cang looked at the chef and smiled, “Of course, as a doctor, all I can do is inform you of these things. As for which option you choose, that’s ultimately up to you.”

Upon hearing this, the chef went silent. After mulling it over and murmuring to himself, “A bowl of noodles I sell is just 10 yuan. I make a few hundred in a day, taking home two or three hundred, and your one thread costs as much as two or three days of my earnings… it really is…”

As he finished speaking, the chef clearly hesitated, “Doctor, I’m not well-educated, so please don’t trick me…”

Chen Cang couldn’t help but laugh, “Your money goes to the hospital; I just earn a fee for my skills.”

Upon hearing that, the chef couldn’t help but sigh, “I know you’re not overcharging. Just now, I went to the neighboring Wu Bureau Orthopedic Hospital, and when I asked about the price, it scared me to death. They said a full-set treatment would cost over three to five thousand yuan and told me my condition was very dangerous, and my hand could end up totally useless.”

Chen Cang smiled and said nothing.

After hesitating for a long while, the chef clenched his teeth and made a decision, “Let’s stitch it up!”

Tendon repair might be a minor surgery, but unless it’s for patients who require urgent stitching, others still need to go through the standard checks, and not a single required signature could be omitted.

The chef was anxious, but he was even more worried about potential future issues with his fingers.

After all, his livelihood depended on his craft. If he were to suffer from an ongoing problem, it would complicate earning a living!

Moreover, the index finger is functionally very important; any complications would be troublesome.

Thinking of this, even though he gritted his teeth, he knew he had to proceed with what needed to be done.

Upon arriving at the hospital, regardless of being wealthy or not, everyone is reluctant to spend money. The chef earns quite well per month, but the thought of spending still hurt.

…

…

For these minor surgeries, most people prefer the emergency department, as it’s faster to get in and out, and it tends to save a considerable amount of money.

Only in cases where the condition is serious and the surgery is complex do people wish to be treated as inpatients in the Department of Hand Surgery. Simply put, it is out of necessity that they opt for hospitalization.

One advantage of the Provincial Hospital Emergency Department is the presence of an emergency inpatient department, which can accommodate short-term patients to handle such minor surgeries.

Surgeries like laparoscopic acute appendectomy or cholecystectomy are examples, as they don’t require much time from the patients.

This is similar to the case for surgeries in the Department of Hand Surgery; in fact, after the stitching is complete, there is no need to stay in the hospital continuously. You take some anti-inflammatory medication, and when it’s time, you’re discharged.

Even Chen Cang felt that in the future, the emergency department could offer circumcision surgeries, as people come in a hurry and the procedure is completed within an hour. You get up, walk away, and just wait to have the stitches removed.

So, the emergency department isn’t worried about a lack of patients; it’s more about lacking the capacity. If you’re good at what you do, patients will flood in, and the real worry is being too busy to handle them all.

Of course, tendon repairs and such are manageable, as they are acute injuries that can be treated in the emergency department. But this… circumcision surgery doesn’t seem to associate at all with the emergency department.

After all, no patient would run to the emergency department because of a circumcision issue.

At this thought, Chen Cang couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret. After all, having nowhere to apply his Dragon Descending techniques gave rise to a touch of frustrated spirits.

After the surgery began, Chen Cang specifically went to the newly established operating room.

It was still brachial plexus anesthesia, and Chen Cang called for Qin Yue.

Because Chen Cang now had an idea.

He thought about how his master-level tendon suturing had two specific effects.

One was reducing adhesions, and the other was hastening recovery.

The reason these were considered special effects was not that they lacked a scientific basis, but rather, they achieved certain special aims after suturing with particular surgical techniques.

Since that was the case, Chen Cang wondered if he could separate these special effects.

What did that mean?

It meant targeted research.

Essentially, what caused these special effects? For instance, in reducing adhesions, what kind of techniques and surgical methods could lead to this outcome.

That was very important!

If this could be researched, it would hold value in advancing and promoting the entire field.

And to do this work, a helper was needed!

That would be Qin Yue, who possessed a unique perspective and mindset for scientific research. Chen Cang felt that many things he couldn’t think of, Qin Yue could.

If these special effects could be separated and summarized, each one could be an extraordinary paper, even an amazing surgical technique.

Professor Tang Jinbo’s Tang suture method for flexor tendon repair was an excellent case in point.

His principles and methods for repairing tendons within the flexor sheath were of significant instructive value, increasing the rate of excellent and good results from 60-70% to 85%.

This zoning theory and treatment principle had a substantial impact in the international academic community and was referred to as “Tang’s Zoning” abroad.

Chen Cang suddenly thought, if he thoroughly researched, could he also achieve a perfect improvement in the success rate of extensor tendon repair?

Regardless, one should always have dreams!

Qin Yue skillfully tied a tourniquet on the upper third of the upper arm and laid the drape.

The damaged zone was in area 1, and Chen Cang had already assisted the patient with early debridement before starting.

Chen Cang possessed master-level tendon suturing skills, which included not just the suturing of the tendon but also its debridement.

Early, thorough debridement directly affected the prognosis. It eliminated necrotic tissue contamination and foreign material, which, combined with subsequent steps of treatment, aimed to reduce post-trauma inflammatory response and prevent large amounts of exudate from accumulating at the wound site, causing severe postoperative tendon adhesions.

The principles of tendon repair were: no tension, no torsion, and no damage.

As Chen Cang worked, he said to Qin Yue, “Take note of every step. I feel that tendon suturing is definitely not just about suturing; it is also critically related to early debridement and later rehabilitation.”

Qin Yue nodded without speaking, her large eyes deep in thought.

The surgery proceeded smoothly. Chen Cang’s suturing method was different from others—it was an original method, which even made Qin Yue frown slightly.

At the Second Provincial Hospital, Chen Cang rarely performed tendon suturing. Qin Yue had only seen it once before and was somewhat surprised at the time. Watching it again, she couldn’t help but find it novel.

Chen Cang worked quickly. He found that this speed brought obvious advantages, and it did not affect his stability.