Chapter 2703: then translation of title

2605.2506 Armed to the teeth

In the live broadcast, the surgeon has already begun protecting the nerve root tissue.

Then the main view switched to that of the interventional surgery, Zheng Lao Ban personally got hands-on, starting to embolize the blood vessels supplying the fourth cervical vertebra to be removed.

Peng Jia didn't know how useful switching back and forth operations was; he now had his main focus on Shen Lao.

Shen Lao's body was slightly stiff, his hands trembling slightly, but he soon calmed down.

Until seeing in the interventional operation image that the vertebral blood supply was occluded with a small spring ring, Shen Lao felt as if his vital spirit had been drained, and his back slumped directly onto the chair.

Meanwhile, Director Yang seemed not to have noticed Shen Lao's change; his attention remained entirely on the surgery live broadcast.

After a long while, the live broadcast picture returned to the operating field of the surgery; Director Yang sighed and said, "Teacher, aside from Zheng Lao Ban, no one can accomplish this step."

"Yes." Shen Lao closed his eyes completely, as if meditating, or as if pondering something.

"Microscopic operation is enough; he still wants to embolize the supplying blood vessels to further reduce bleeding." Director Yang said: "Estimated intraoperative bleeding will not exceed 500 ml."

"Even 200 ml is impossible." Shen Lao shook his head and said: "The patient's condition is poor; if bleeding exceeds 1000 ml post-op, he might not even make it out of the ICU. Back then I found it strange, what Zheng Lao Ban was thinking. Now I see, he has confidence, sure that his technique will keep intraoperative bleeding low, so we can give it a try."

"Teacher, even if we invited Professor Pei to perform the surgery, we probably couldn't accomplish this step." Director Yang said bitterly.

"We must try; if we can't achieve 200 ml bleeding, we'll first try 1000 ml." Shen Lao said: "With technological progress and more advanced consumables entering clinical practice, I believe within ten years someone will surely reach Zheng Lao Ban's level."

Peng Jia felt somewhat puzzled; had Zheng Lao Ban's surgical skill reached a level where only more advanced instruments and consumables could match it? Shen Academician's evaluation was simply extraordinarily high.

It's not that his technical skill surpasses others by ten years; rather, others need to rely on technological power, using more precise materials, to contend with Zheng Lao Ban.

However… Zheng Lao Ban's own surgical skill being good is not the key; regardless, his instruments and consumables are world‑top‑class. Peng Jia knew the micro spring ring just used for embolization was developed in Germany, and because of its high cost it has never been introduced clinically.

Zheng Lao Ban himself is enough to inspire awe, yet he is also armed to the teeth. Even with technological advances, Zheng Lao Ban would still be among the first beneficiaries.

Still can't catch up; thinking of this, a hint of joy welled up in Peng Jia's heart.

15′22″, the affected fourth cervical vertebra was completely removed; thereafter the surgeon began to replace it with a 3D‑printed vertebral body.

After implantation, fixed with a nail‑rod system, then began irrigating the operative area.

Shen Lao glanced at the timer in the upper‑right corner of the live‑broadcast screen; the entire process of removing the cervical vertebra took 1 hour 22 minutes.

"Zheng Lao Ban is truly formidable; under his great reputation there are no empty titles. By the way, when is this year's annual meeting?" Shen Lao asked.

"Mid‑January." Director Yang replied.

"After returning, I will send him an invitation in my name, inviting him to come to Modu for a demonstration surgery." Shen Lao said.

Demonstration…… surgery……

These four words were like four thunderbolts, striking Peng Jia and reducing him to charcoal.

During ordinary academic exchanges, the term 'demonstration surgery' would certainly not be used; only when inviting top‑level doctors worldwide to give lectures would the word 'demonstration' occasionally appear.

Even Shen Lao, the academician… Peng Jia had been observing Shen Lao's expression; he felt doubtful and puzzled.

What I had heard and seen about competition for academic standing was extremely cruel.

All sorts of things—publishing articles to publicly condemn, not only in academic circles but also putting them in the media to provoke nationwide attention. Such incidents are not common, yet not rare; each time they end in bloodshed.

Originally Peng Jia thought that after Zheng Lao Ban won the Nobel Prize, it would attract many envious and resentful glances, followed by successive struggles of dragon versus tiger to establish his academic standing.

But…

After crossing over, Zheng Lao Ban remained splendid and limitless; even the Orthopedics Department academician acknowledged his surgical skill.

They even wanted to invite him to perform a demonstration surgery.

Could what Ning Shu said all be true? Peng Jia felt a bit embarrassed; was his own vision too narrow?

"Teacher, is demonstration surgery good?"

"Zheng Lao Ban's surgery is well done; what's wrong with demonstration surgery?" Shen Lao frowned and said, "We need to learn, we need to progress. Over all these years, how many people have you seen living off their past achievements until death?"

"Laparoscopy has already eliminated a batch of old doctors; the surge kicked off by Zheng Lao Ban will certainly eliminate even more doctors." Shen Lao said.

"Interventional—over all these years it still hasn't taken off." Director Yang obviously harbors resentment—or rather, worry—toward interventional surgery.

"The problem of suturing lines will eventually be solved; the Da Vinci robot has already begun use." Shen Lao said, "Within 5‑10 years, the surgeon will move out of the operating room, shielded by a lead plate, to go where to suture lines. Without worries about the aftermath, more outstanding surgeons will surely emerge."

"Yes, yes."

"Keep up with it; I probably won't live to see that day, but I hope you won't be eliminated."

Having said that, Shen Lao slowly rose to his feet.

"Shen Lao, you're not going to watch the rest?" Peng Jia hadn't expected Shen Lao to leave while the surgery was still unfinished; he hurriedly said, "It's already noon—let's have a simple meal before heading back."

"No." Shen Lao gave a slight smile and greeted Peng Jia amiably: "I'll watch Zheng Lao Ban's surgery several more times in the recording when I get back, little Peng."

"Ah? Shen Lao, what instructions do you have?" Peng Jia bent over, asking nervously and reverently.

"You and Zheng Lao Ban should suggest—stop always live‑broadcasting interventional surgery; also do some orthopedic surgery." Shen Lao smiled: "I've waited for this live‑broadcast surgery for a full eight months."

Seeing Shen Lao's satisfied expression, Peng Jia bent his waist deeper, repeatedly saying, "I will convey your meaning as soon as possible."

"It's a request, not an order, little Peng—make sure you understand." Shen Lao emphasized, "As for the annual meeting… I could just call Zheng Lao Ban, or… fly to Di Du. Some matters are better discussed face to face."

Having said that, Shen Lao leisurely departed; Peng Jia escorted him to the car all the way, looking somewhat dazed as Shen Lao just walked away.

When he returned to the meeting room, the surgery had actually not yet been finished.

"What happened?" Peng Jia asked in surprise. His heart, which had just been let down, rose again—please, nothing go wrong; Peng Jia felt he was becoming possessed.

"No, Manager Peng." A subordinate said: "The surgery is going very smoothly; Zheng Lao Ban is suturing the skin."

Suturing the skin… Zheng Lao Ban, who just won the Nobel Prize, is suturing the skin—truly cautious, he won't even let go of suturing the skin.