Surgery Godfather-Chapter 614 - 558 Stone hits egg

Head Nurse Cai was quite thorough and came up with a solution.

In the meeting room, she formally returned the red envelope to Guo Liu, the wife of Cui Xubing, and carefully counted the amount in her presence.

A camera had been installed in this meeting room, which was usually where doctors have pre-operative discussions and obtain consent from patients.

After Nurse Cai explained the situation to Guo Liu, this woman proved even more understanding than her husband. Perhaps compared to her husband, Guo Liu’s thought process was more reasonable. She quickly grasped the head nurse’s meaning, expressed her gratitude to the doctors and nurses, accepted the returned red envelope, and even wrote down the details on a ledger Nurse Cai had prepared.

The matter of Guo Liu receiving the returned red envelope was not immediately disclosed to her husband.

Thinking that Professor Yang Ping had received his red envelope, Cui Xubing felt relieved and was no longer worried about it.

His logic was quite simple: if Professor Yang did not accept the red envelope, the surgery would surely have problems. Even if there were no problems now, there could be potential issues lurking in the future.

Now that Professor Yang had accepted the envelope, even if there were potential issues, he would do his utmost to resolve them. This money was like insurance for his son.

Previously, Cui Xubing was uncomfortable looking at the external fixation frame on his son’s back, but now, the view was quite pleasing to his eye, regardless of the angle.

Three months on, his son would be able to stand tall like a normal person.

Cui Xubing started humming a tune, albeit quite tunelessly, which made it sound rather discordant.

On the 10th day, Cui Shukai had his stitches removed and was discharged.

Cui Xubing and his wife quickly became proficient at adjusting the knobs on the external fixation frame. Song Zimo required them to record a clear video every day, sending it to him so that he could confirm they were making the adjustments correctly.

This was the first surgery using the new technique, and it could only succeed, failure was not an option.

Furthermore, several other hospitals were waiting for the operative results from Sanbo Hospital. Sanbo Hospital would accumulate a set of operational standards for the other hospitals to follow.

Ever since the live broadcast of the Golden Knife Award show, Sanbo Hospital had no shortage of patients with spinal curvature. Many problematic cases from outside were referred directly to Yang Ping.

As such, all patients with this disease who agreed to participate in clinical trials were treated with the external spinal fixation technique.

After two months, over forty cases were accumulated.

The number of cases were ample for a complete paper, and also enough to establish a set of operational standards.

Two and a half months post-op, Cui Shukai went for a local follow-up check-up and sent the X-rays of his whole spine to Song Zimo. Remarkably, his C-shaped spine was successfully straightened!

There were ideal adjustments in three-dimensional space; the physiological curvature was also well-restored.

No segments were fused, the functionality of each segment was preserved, and the gap of the osteotomy showed good regeneration of bone.

The first severe distortion, a Cobb angle of 176 degrees, was corrected so gently. There were no any neurological symptoms at all.

This outcome was nothing short of miraculous!

The X-ray of Cui Shukai was displayed on the electronic screen in the doctors’ office.

Even Song Zimo, who had been pleased with the outcomes of the animal testing, couldn’t calm down for quite a while.

Professor Zhang Zongshun, who had pioneered the treatment of spinal curvature in our country and started conducting surgeries for this in the 1980s, knew well the wonderful application of the Ilizarov theory in limb correction. But he hadn’t imagined this could be so successful in correcting spinal curvature.

Director Han was also stunned. How long had Yang Ping been at Sanbo Hospital?

In just over a year, he had easily put forward such a heavyweight research finding.

This was not just an issue of a new device, but a complete revolution in the treatment of spinal curvature.

There were more than 60 million people with spine curvature nationwide, including five million middle and primary school students, with an addition of three hundred thousand cases each year.

If this technique could be popularized, imagine how many would benefit.

In spinal surgery, this technique’s influence was undoubtedly profound and widespread, nothing short of an academic nuclear bomb.

If a patient of Cui Shukai’s deformity severity could be successfully corrected, the corrections of a number of other patients would also be successful, while the rest were on the road to correction.

The X-rays one after another appeared on the screen, each showing good correction effects.

Aside from one patient who developed infection at the pin site, no other patients had any post-operative complications.

The patient with pin-site infection had just one pin site infected, and the infection would be eliminated after the removal of the external fixator.

The patient had neglected to clean the pin site regularly, contra-indicating operational advice by bathing the patient, leading to the pin-site infection.

Preliminary clinical trials proved that the new technique was not only effective but also very safe.

Director Han understood deeply the value of this new technique. Filled with excitement, he was at a loss for words. In his heart, he felt relieved that he had recognized the talent, made the right personnel decision, and retained Yang Ping, allowing him to fully utilize his skills.

In his over fifty years of practicing medicine, Professor Zhang had never seen the speed of research like this. It had gone from formal approval to clinical application in just a few months, without any detours - it was directly on target.

Every research success was usually labor-intensive, involving countless detours before finally reaching its success.

In most cases, people could not find the correct path and ended up battered and exhausted.

"Did it really straighten the spine?"

Professor Zhang, not knowing whether he was excited or happy, actually blurted out something rather unprofessional.

Director Han nodded: "Indeed, we used to resort to osteotomy and fusion, but now with this external brace, the spine is straightened merely within three months, with each vertebra completely retaining its structure and function."

"Would you say that when using this device to correct limb deformities in the past, we never thought of using it to correct scoliosis?" Professor Zhang took off his glasses, pulling out a cloth to wipe them.

Director Han shook his head: "Even if we had thought of it, the idea would have been fleeting. It’s too difficult to implement."

"Xiao Yang, you can undertake greater tasks. Be more daring, go full out. Whatever support you need, we will fully back you. Despite my age, I still have some influence in this circle." Professor Zhang, enchanted by the striking results Yang Ping had achieved in just a few months, wondered whether it was possible for Yang to produce Nobel Prize-level research if he invested more time.

This scoliosis external brace technique would have been Nobel Prize-level if it had been implemented earlier.

However, with the progression of time, the Nobel Prize demands are increasingly high. They emphasize fundamental research outcomes that hold exceptional value.

"Xiao Yang is currently planning a project on culturing muscles with stem cells. How about it? What do you plan to propose?" Director Han thought of another larger project that Yang Ping had in mind.

"The research proposal is already written. I plan to self-fund the research without seeking national support, so as to save application time." Yang Ping had already planned this project.

If he doesn’t need national funding, it’s simple. If there are no legal or ethical issues, he can immediately begin the research.

Director Han knew that the research fund established by the hospital had already amassed several hundred million yuan. It’s more than enough to kickstart this project.

Moreover, the Anning Group expressed willingness to continuously infuse the fund with more money.

For the Anning Group, making charitable contributions to medical research and donating several billion yuan is quite feasible.

Following this, they also received donations from Jiang Baicheng, Bao Yulou, and Wang Changxin. There’s currently three billion yuan lying in the account.`,

To think that at such a young age, Yang Ping could rally such strong support. Many entrepreneurs are willing to finance him.

"What, everyone is here?"

Dean Xia entered with a hearty laugh.

"Oh, Dean Xia, how come you’re free to stop by?" Director Han turned around.

Dean Xia joined: "I heard about Yang’s successful clinical trial with the new technology and came to join in on the celebration. Aren’t we going to hold a celebration? We need some sense of ceremony."

"Forget it, Yang isn’t fond of such pomp and show." Professor Zhang spoke bluntly.

Dean Xia greatly respected Professor Zhang: "I just suggested it. I know Yang isn’t fond of such a show. Look, I have come unaccompanied just to join."

"Xiao Yang, the surgical robot hasn’t been approved yet, we have to wait. Now the hospital has two Tianji, plus one Da Vinci, three robots in all. It’s more difficult to apply for a fourth one as they have to take into account other hospital applications, that’s why it hasn’t been approved yet. I’m planning to lobby again." Dean Xia expressed his apology.

Indeed, some things are not determined by him alone. For such million-dollar instruments, the approval power lies at the top, not with the hospital.

The funds managed by the officials are not just for Sanbo Hospital, and many other hospitals don’t have robots yet. The upper echelons naturally have to consider a lot.

"Old Xia, I’m saying, if you don’t feel that it’s below your dignity, why don’t you let Xiao Yang sort out this robot himself?"

Director Han spoke straightforwardly.

Dean Xia wasn’t upset: "What’s the worth of my old face? But I already have a plan, I will transfer one from the orthopedics department for Xiao Yang to use. If orthopedics squeezes a bit, one should suffice."

"Please don’t do that, Dean Xia, don’t worry about the robot. I’ll sort it out myself. Okay? I know you are doing your best to fulfill all our requirements."

For Yang Ping, given his current influence, securing a surgical robot is straightforward.

He doesn’t wish to give the impression of being overbearing or oppressive.

The orthopedics department is doing well with two robots. Their sudden removal would make everyone uncomfortable. As the dean, Dean Xia is acting out of necessity.

"It would be quite embarrassing to let you sort this out yourself." Dean Xia felt he owed Yang Ping.

Professor Zhang was more straightforward: "Depending on our support entirely, we may not be able to keep up. Xiao Yang’s next project involves stem cell cultured muscles. Without the 3 billion yuan from the research fund, could you gather so much money? Isn’t this 3 billion yuan specifically earmarked for Xiao Yang?"

Dean Xia patted his neck: "Right, you make a good point, Professor Zhang. We are currently stretched too thin to accomplish all our tasks."

"That’s why I say, people like us, who simply shouldn’t bind Xiao Yang’s hands or legs, are his biggest support. Every great enterprise carries risks, and research projects are the same. We should take on the risk together. That’s true support, much more substantial than financial support." Professor Zhang honestly voiced his thoughts.

Dean Xia drew a deep breath and declared, "Since we’re all here, I, Xia Changjiang, am willing to bear the risk as long as I hold the position of dean. Xiao Yang, you can run without worries."

Clinical trials with new techniques like the ones carried out by Yang Ping inevitably carry risks. If a dispute arises, resolving it becomes much more difficult than a regular medical dispute.

Even though everything is written black on white, with clear informed consent documents, the risks are considerable, and disputes will arise.

The first batch of clinical trial cases in Sanbo Hospital was a resounding success.

Song Zimo and Xu Zhiliang were working overtime to compile operating standards for the entire procedure, including perioperative management, surgical operations, prevention of complications, and so forth.

The operation guidelines and case files will be compiled into a book with an accompanying CD. These will be distributed to the Xiehe Hospital, Magic City Sixth Hospital and Nandu Affiliated Hospital One.

These three hospitals will be starting second-phase large-scale clinical trials as per these guidelines.

The news of the successful first phase of clinical trials for the exterior brace of the spine spread like wildfire. Giants like Johnson & Johnson, Stryker, Jiemai, Medtronic, and Shi Lehui received the news almost simultaneously.

Johnson & Johnson’s Hans was especially sensitive to this news. He saw buying Ruixing as imperative.

If the acquisition isn’t carried out smoothly, they would resort to suppression. With the might of Johnson & Johnson, crushing a small Ruixing is akin to crushing an egg with a rock.

Hans was confident that as long as the headquarters backed him, Ruixing wouldn’t last a month.