The corridor after the lecture hadn’t cleared yet,
Young doctors gathered around Ivan for autographs, while dia reporters tried to intercept him for interviews. Ivan dealt with each of them, moving forward politely yet firmly.
Director Lan from the plastic surgery departnt walked beside him, helping to separate overly enthusiastic followers, as he guided Ivan to the plastic surgery ward for a visit.
The elevator ascended to the exclusive plastic surgery ward. As the door opened, the atmosphere was distinctly different from a regular ward. This space resembled a ticulously designed environnt, with walls painted a soft beige, corridors lined with pre- and post-surgery comparison photos, and a soothing, woody scent filling the air instead of the usual pungent disinfectant odor.
In the doctor’s office, students brought out so classic case files.
Ivan sat down and slowly browsed these cases with Director Lan’s assistance, hoping to receive his critique.
While reviewing them, Ivan frowned, "Your surgeries are quite good, but they have a fatal flaw!"
Director Lan looked eagerly at him, as he had felt there was always sothing wrong with his surgeries but couldn’t pinpoint the issue.
Ivan paused, "All your surgeries aim for extre symtry and stability. True beauty is natural; pursuing absolute symtry and stability inevitably loses nature."
"Do you have OCD?" Ivan hit the nail on the head.
Director Lan nodded in embarrassnt.
"To further develop, you must overco this OCD, or else it will be hard to progress." Ivan said unreservedly.
Indeed, Director Lan finally understood what his problem was.
"But it’s okay. Your level is already top-tier in China. If you overco your OCD and proceed with ease instead of constant tension and criticism, you will surpass yourself." Ivan encouraged him.
Director Lan promised to work hard.
The tour began at the ward where Director Lan walked at a asured pace, ensuring Ivan could see the details he wanted to display.
In the microsurgery laboratory, Ivan paused by a high-powered microscope, next to which lay a set of vascular anastomosis models under practice.
"All resident doctors must complete 200 cases of rat vascular anastomosis before entering clinical surgery," Director Lan explained, "but I am not satisfied. 200 cases are about quantity, not quality. I’ve seen your video, your vascular anastomosis in facial transplant surgeries has an almost 100% patency rate. I want to know, what’s the secret?"
Ivan picked up the surgical instrunts next to the microscope, twisting them in his hand, assessing their balance and sharpness. "The instrunts are good," he said, "but the secret isn’t in the instrunts, it’s in the skill. When you view surgical techniques as artistry rather than re technique, plastic surgery starts to enter a new realm."
He put down the instrunts and looked at Director Lan, "I can demonstrate if you have a suitable case."
Director Lan’s eyes lit up, his calmness giving way to restrained excitent, "This afternoon, a breast reconstruction post-breast cancer surgery, using a free abdominal artery perforator flap. The patient’s opposite breast is quite large, requiring a large flap, with a long vascular pedicle, making anastomosis challenging."
"I am willing to assist or act as an observer," Ivan said.
"No," Director Lan said, his voice becoming solemn, "If you are willing to guide, please be the chief surgeon for this operation. It is my honor and my request."
Ivan looked at Yang Ping, who nodded slightly.
"Okay," Ivan said.
The surgery in the afternoon was held in one of Sanbo Hospital’s most modern hybrid operating rooms. Ivan stood in the position of chief surgeon, with Director Lan opposite him as the first assistant.
The key to the surgery lay in precise vascular anatomy and perfect chest sculpting. Ivan’s movents had a unique rhythm, not the fastest, but each step was precisely in place. This precision was not chanical but felt appropriate.
Vascular anastomosis was the climax. Ivan connected the abdominal artery perforator to the internal thoracic artery perforator, using nylon 9-0 sutures, stitching under the microscope. His fingers were steady and nimble, able to sense the subtle elasticity of the vascular walls.
"Look at the vascular wall here," he suddenly said, "The thickness doesn’t match perfectly; the recipient area is slightly thinner. I use ’unequal distance suturing,’ wider stitches on the thicker side, denser on the thinner side, so they align flush after anastomosis."
Anastomosis completed, the blood flow opened, the flap instantly filled, its color turning from pale to pink, the venous return clearly visible.
The surgery ultimately lasted three hours, with satisfactory results. The flap survived perfectly, the abdominal donor site closed smoothly, and the breast shape was symtrical and natural.
Post-operation, Ivan and Director Lan walked out of the operating room side by side. Already a few doctors had gathered in the corridor, clearly having heard about the surgery. One young female doctor timidly stepped forward, "Professor Ivan, I’m Dr. Li from the Plastic Surgery Departnt. I... I have a request."
"Please go ahead."
"My brother was severely burned three years ago, with serious facial scars. He originally planned to go abroad for surgery with you. If you can stay longer in China, even just to look at his case..."
Ivan looked at Director Lan, then at Yang Ping, and slowly said:
"I originally planned to return to New Zealand a week later, but... I can extend. Director Lan, if you have more cases like this and want to participate, I can stay for two weeks, or even longer."
Director Lan’s eyes lit up again, "Are you serious?"
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