Chapter 2157: Interdependent as Lips and Teeth

Doing a CT scan is relatively quick and painless, providing a clear diagnosis, and it can reveal any obstructions in the appendix. Also, if we do an intestinal CT at the same time, it can conveniently confirm whether there are any other blockages.

Weighing the pros and cons of these two procedures, the radiation from a CT scan is negligible. It’s better to do the CT. Everyone agrees with the pediatric expert on this proposal, and the point of contention lies with the enema.

Shi Xu consulted the pediatric expert, "An enema?"

"Our pediatrics team has tried it, and the results were quite good," Luo Jingming interjected for Nie Jiamin.

"You haven’t tried it. If a sudden perforation occurs after the enema, the family will claim the perforation was caused by you," Sun Yubo scoffed.

The General Surgery Department commonly sees appendicitis patients, and disputes like this have indeed occurred. Although anatomically, the enema tube only reaches so far from the anus to the rectum, and it is quite far from the appendix with low pressure. Families forcibly linking the two is utterly nonsensical. Unfortunately, some families will always insist that certain clinical mishaps are related to previous medical actions, never considering that it might be due to the patient’s condition worsening, causing unreasonable disturbances in the hospital.

Sun Yubo spoke of reality. In clinical practice, cutting is the hard truth in appendicitis treatments. Because doctors, like anyone else, prefer fewer over more troubles. Cutting away with one surgery feels great, rather than playing it safe only to face a sudden perforation and then being sued by the family.

That being said, why would pediatrics dare to suggest an enema, which seems both high-risk and futile?

An enema does not directly treat appendicitis; it primarily addresses this child’s other symptoms. The child is constipated, with obstructed bowels, which increases bodily stress. Moreover, appendicitis and constipation can be somewhat related, as sometimes feces block the appendix causing appendicitis, indicating that intestinal blockages aren’t friendly to this condition. Constipation in other parts of the intestine can similarly cause visceral organ nerve reflexes, leading to spasms and narrowing of the appendix canal, causing blood flow blockage, and creating a golden opportunity for bacteria.

If relieving constipation is effective, it can indirectly alleviate appendicitis.

Another crucial reason pediatrics dares to suggest this is, Luo Jingming unreservedly told the people in General Surgery Department Two, "Don’t you check the person’s background before treating?"

A major characteristic in pediatrics is the rapid and unpredictable changes in a child’s condition. It ranks second or third for medical disputes, just after obstetrics. Those in the know understand. Pediatrics is much more experienced in handling doctor-patient relationships than General Surgery Department Two.

Whether a doctor dares to attempt other risky procedures for a patient depends on the family.

Everyone shifted their gaze back to Sun Rongfang: Mother Xie, as the family member, was utterly reliable.

Cao Yong leaned in, listening to the murmur of little Xie Youtian, "Sister—"

The son was calling for his sister. Sun Rongfang sighed; her son always used to be playful at home, often opposing his sister, yet at critical moments, he would call for her to save him. Just like her husband. Xie Changrong outwardly criticized their daughter, but inwardly, he constantly paid attention to her every move, caring more than anyone. The Old Xie Family people act this way, stubborn and face-loving.

The surrounding teachers and doctors, hearing this child call for his sister, felt a chord struck in their hearts. The sister isn’t here; she’s saving other lives. Being a doctor unavoidably faces such situations; if colleagues don’t help each other, who dares to do this job? Doctors’ hearts aren’t hard, but soft. Each one feeling the mutual dependency.

"It’s okay, it’s okay, your sister isn’t here, but your brother is."