This is when the real test comes.
The digital artery is much smaller than the flexor tendon. The flexor tendon is as thick as the tip of a chopstick, while the digital artery is only as thick as the tip of a toothpick.
Under a microscope, a magnification of 20 times is required to clearly see the blood vessel lumen.
Bao Youshan already had experience in cooperating with Li Zheng to sew blood vessels, and Chen Dayong was not willing to try to be aggressive, so he took the initiative to switch positions with Bao Youshan.
The sutures for the digital arteries require 8-0 nylon thread, which is only one-third the size of a hair. The county hospital did not have it, so Duan Jianhui brought it with him.
The Municipal Hospital didn't have any originally, and only after Zhu Qidong came did they get some supplies.
"Heparin flush." Li Zheng said.
Bao Youshan used a 1 ml syringe to spray diluted heparin solution into the blood vessel lumen to prevent blood coagulation in the lumen.
Then carefully use gauze to absorb the blood from the wound.
Li Zheng used microtweezers to grasp the suture needle, which was only the size of a hair, and began to suture.
Chen Dayong and Bao Youshan didn't dare to breathe, for fear that the air flow would blow the needle and thread away.
The two of them couldn't see how Li Zheng sewed it at all, and Li Zheng's movements were very subtle.
The others had no idea how well he had sutured, so they could only wait until he was done and loosen the tourniquet to check the effect.
"Flip the blood vessels." Li Zheng said.
Duan Jianhui only brought a pair of microscope glasses. Bao Youshan widened his eyes, trying hard to see the traction line clearly, carefully clamped it with tweezers, and turned the blood vessel over.
Li Zheng continued to suture and soon completed one port.
"You only sewed one end?" Zhu Qidong's face was filled with disbelief. It took less than three minutes. Even with a microscope, it couldn't be done that fast!
Others didn't understand it as well as he did, and although they also felt it was fast, they didn't feel it as strongly as Zhu Qidong.
Li Zheng nodded and said, "It's enough to sew up the digital artery with eight stitches. There will be almost no leakage."
"What? 8 stitches?" Zhu Qidong widened his eyes in shock.
"What? Is it not enough?" Chen Dayong asked.
Zhu Qidong took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and shook his head, "It's not not enough, it's too much!"
"The digital artery is too small. Generally, 6 stitches are enough. 8 stitches is not impossible, but that requires a microscope. How did you do it without a microscope? And you can finish it so quickly!" Zhu Qidong showed an expression of complete incomprehension.
Chen Dayong chuckled, "Your ability limits your imagination! Do you understand this now?"
Zhu Qidong shook his head and said, "Without a microscope, we won't know the effectiveness of the suture until it's finished."
Everyone nodded. It was too early to draw conclusions. If the lumen was not unobstructed or there was severe bleeding, no matter how many stitches were done, it would be useless.
Li Zheng and Bao Youshan did not stop operating.
The two of them cooperated more and more tacitly.
Two minutes later, the other port was also sutured.
Li Zheng handed the equipment to Lin Xiaomei and asked the circulating nurse to help him take off the microscope glasses.
"Loosen the tourniquet." Li Zheng said.
Except for Li Zheng, everyone started to get nervous.
This step is crucial to the success of the operation. Without blood supply, the finger will quickly become necrotic and will have to be amputated.
The circulating nurse picked up the tourniquet, inflated the balloon, and unscrewed the valve on it.
“Squeak…”
The sound of airflow seemed particularly loud in this quiet operating room.
Chen Dayong and Bao Youshan stared at the artery.
The others craned their necks to see, almost wishing they could pull them apart.
The sound of the tourniquet deflating finally stopped.
The digital arteries begin to fill and pulsate rhythmically.
"Haha, no side leakage!" Chen Dayong laughed. "Both anastomoses are spotless, not a single red blood cell can escape!"
"You're exaggerating!" Xiao Zhihua laughed, feeling very happy. He wanted the surgery to go smoothly, otherwise, as an anesthesiologist, he would have to stay with them for as long as the surgery took.
Bao Youshan pinched the end of his thumb and nodded repeatedly, saying, "The finger has regained its rosy color, and the venous return blood is abundant, indicating that the transplanted artery is receiving adequate blood supply."
"Okay, okay, make room quickly! It's our turn!" Duan Jianhui urged.
Li Zheng and the other three simply gave up their places.
Duan Jianhui, Xiang Yuanzhong, and Zhu Qidong all leaned forward.
Several people stared with wide eyes at the artery that was beating happily like a little bug.
Only one artery is needed to supply blood to the fingers, so the fingers look very rosy.
Although Zhu Qidong couldn't see how many stitches were used, the suture effect was superb.
"How about it, bosses? Are you satisfied with Li Zheng's suture?" Chen Dayong said with a little pride.
Xiang Yuanzhong nodded vigorously, feeling much more relaxed. He smiled and said, "I have seen the future development of our hospital's microsurgery. It will definitely be top-notch in the province!"
Zhu Qidong shook his head and said, "He was able to successfully suture a digital artery without a microscope. If he had a microscope, I think no blood vessel would be difficult for Dr. Li. There aren't many people in the country who can do this. If Dr. Li continues to develop microsurgery, I think he could set up a microsurgery center in the city. Then patients and doctors from all over the country would flock to him!"
"I heard everything you were thinking!" Xiao Zhihua, sitting on a round stool nearby, crossed his legs and sneered, "Even if the director of your municipal hospital comes to invite him personally, Li Zheng won't be able to go back! Because your hospital isn't worthy!"
Zhu Qidong felt bad after hearing this. He nodded and said, "They really don't deserve it! Doctor Li, please develop microsurgery in the county. I'll apply to study here!"
Everyone was shocked when they heard this.
This young doctor is truly thoughtful and ambitious! Going to a lower-level hospital for further training is unheard of. If he were to tell others about it, they would think he's a fool, and it would be a slap in the face of the city hospital. But judging by his expression, he'd definitely do it if Li Zheng wanted to.
"That's right, develop it in the county. Not only microsurgery, but also orthopedics can be developed. Li Zheng has the ability to do so!" Xiang Yuanzhong most hoped that Li Zheng would stay in the county hospital. After all, he had no chance to go out for further studies, and it would be difficult for him to make progress in this life. However, the appearance of Li Zheng gave him hope.
"What are you thinking? My brother Zheng is a general surgeon, so if we want to develop, we should prioritize general surgery," Chen Dayong said. He was a general surgeon, so of course he hoped Li Zheng would focus on general surgery, so he could learn faster that way.
It is now 15 minutes to loosen the tourniquet, and everyone starts chatting.
"Doctor Li, what are your plans for the future? Which direction will you focus on?" Duan Jianhui asked with a smile. He thought the possibility of Li Zheng returning to the municipal hospital was almost zero, but he hoped to have as much communication and cooperation as possible in the future.
Li Zheng placed his hands in the pockets of his surgical gown, looking a little dazed. He himself didn't know how things would develop in the future.
Suddenly, he remembered what he said to Chen Dayong and Zhang Lei in the ambulance that day, that they should look at the whole country and the world, and his eyes suddenly became clear.
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