Chapter 131: Chapter 131: The Pecking Order

Zhang Han’s nasal revision surgery began promptly at 7:00 PM.

His rhinoplasty required the use of filler material.

There are four common types of nasal fillers: hyaluronic acid, silicone implants, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), and autologous cartilage.

Of these four materials, autologous cartilage is the safest and yields the best results, but it is also the most technically demanding to use.

Using the patient’s own cartilage for rhinoplasty offers better compatibility and stability, with no risk of rejection and a low absorption rate.

Once healed, it feels and looks no different from a real nose, appearing extremely natural.

Yan Feifan was performing this surgery to practice and validate what he had learned, so naturally, he wasn’t intimidated by its difficulty.

At the same time, Yan Feifan also considered that Zhang Han was only nineteen this year. After the nasal reconstruction, the nose needed to be resilient enough to withstand being touched or kneaded.

Therefore, for this surgery, Yan Feifan chose to use Zhang Han’s own cartilage as the filler material.

There are three types of autologous cartilage to choose from: ear cartilage, septal cartilage, and rib cartilage.

Because Zhang Han’s nasal revision rhinoplasty required a large amount of filler material, Yan Feifan opted to use his rib cartilage…

Rhinoplasty is a craft that demands meticulous sculpting.

As the surgical assistant and on-site technical advisor, Wang Chuan’s feelings grew complicated an hour and a half into the operation.

Yan Feifan’s patience and meticulousness were, one might say, at their absolute peak.

To shape the rib cartilage into the required form, the guy had painstakingly ground it down, millimeter by millimeter, for over forty minutes.

’It’s like an obsessive-compulsive pursuit of perfection!’ Wang Chuan commented inwardly.

As for the precision and meticulousness of his Sword Technique, Wang Chuan had to admit that Yan Feifan had long since surpassed him in this regard.

Rhinoplasty, and facial plastic surgery in general, was a skill he took great pride in—one he had dedicated nearly ten years to studying.

Seeing himself so easily surpassed by Yan Feifan, Wang Chuan’s feelings were truly hard to put into words.

’I’ve worked hard for ten years, and he’s only been studying it for a week or two. This must be the difference between a genius and an ordinary person.’

’Sometimes, hard work really can’t compete with raw talent…’

But Wang Chuan was, after all, an experienced and mature middle-aged man. Although he felt dealt a heavy blow, he quickly adjusted his mindset.

’This kid’s excellence means that Yanyan is one step closer to her goal of restoring her appearance.’

The moment he thought of this initial goal, Wang Chuan’s gaze toward Yan Feifan became fervent…

It wasn’t until nearly 11:00 PM that the first nasal revision rhinoplasty Yan Feifan had ever led finally concluded.

The moment he stepped away from the operating table, Yan Feifan felt as if his legs weren’t his own. They were so numb it felt like he was walking on someone else’s.

Wang Chuan noticed Yan Feifan’s somewhat strange gait, understood why, and said with a soft chuckle, “Feifan, you’re extremely focused during surgery. That’s a good thing.”

“However, it can make you ignore your body’s warning signs of discomfort, especially from your legs.”

“Standing for long periods without moving your legs puts you at no small risk for varicose veins and venous thrombosis.”

He chuckled. “There’s a great way to protect your legs and improve their circulation.”

“Go buy a pair of high-quality, super-stretchy women’s pantyhose and wear them.”

“Let me tell you, those doctors in neurosurgery who often perform six- or seven-hour surgeries all wear them…”

「The next day, Friday.」

Around 9:00 AM, Yan Feifan and his sister arrived at the ENT ward to encourage Lu.

At 9:30, she was scheduled for her cochlear implant surgery.

In the hospital room, Yan Feifan saw Xiao Man, Lu’s adoptive parents Yu Wenjun and Shao Fen, several of the adoptive parents’ relatives and friends, and a staff member from the orphanage.

Lu’s adoption procedures had all been completed yesterday.

Yu Wenjun and his wife had originally planned to host a party this weekend to celebrate.

However, Lu’s surgery had been moved up.

The celebration had to be postponed indefinitely.

After the cochlear implant is inserted, Lu would need a fairly long adaptation period.

After that, she would still need listening and speech therapy…

After watching Lu enter the operating room, Yan Feifan hurried back to Qin Ying’s medical research office for his lesson…

After lunch, Yan Feifan rushed over to the plastic surgery center again.

He first said goodbye to Lele and Huanhuan, who had completed their discharge procedures. Then, together with Wang Chuan, he performed a final check-up on Yo Jiayong, who was being discharged today.

After the examination, Yan Feifan signed his name in the “attending physician” section of Yo Jiayong’s discharge papers.

Afterward, he and Wang Chuan returned to the director’s office.

“Feifan, I have a strong feeling I’m not getting that house in Zuimo Court back!”

Wang Chuan said with feigned annoyance, “Sigh, I shouldn’t have made that promise so easily back then.”

Yan Feifan chuckled and said, “Mr. Wang, with your income, buying another one shouldn’t be too hard.”

“I heard Sun Yao is selling his house?”

Wang Chuan shot Yan Feifan a sideways glance. “Do I look like someone who can just pull out tens of millions?”

“Feifan, I’ll be straight with you. My annual income is only about three to four million, and my expenses are also quite high.”

Yan Feifan grinned, his tone teasing. “Mr. Wang, three to four million, and you’re complaining that’s not enough?”

“You’ve probably never lived like an ordinary person, have you?”

Wang Chuan scoffed lightly. “When I was in college, I couldn’t afford to order extra meat dishes either.”

“It’s just that we humans are creatures who look upwards. We always set our sights on those who are better off than us…”

After a pause, Wang Chuan sighed softly and reflected, “In this pursuit, I’ve lost myself and fallen a bit, leaning too much toward material gain and creature comforts.”

“Feifan, you should take this as a cautionary tale.”

Yan Feifan rolled his eyes. “Mr. Wang, let’s talk about that after I actually become a rich man…”

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Following Wang Chuan’s “Come in,” the office door was pushed open, and a tall, thin man with graying hair and prominent cheekbones entered.

Behind him were two young men in their early thirties who looked like assistants.

“Mr. Lo?!”

Wang Chuan was a bit surprised. He rarely had any contact with Lo Jun, the director of neurosurgery. Why would he come calling directly?

“Mr. Wang!”

Lo Jun replied with a lukewarm tone, pointed at Yan Feifan, and continued, “I’m here to see him.”

Yan Feifan instantly understood why he was here.

He asked eagerly, “Mr. Lo, regarding the removal of Mr. Pan’s intrathecal tumor, is there a high probability of success using anhydrous ethanol injection as an adjunct therapy?”

Lo Jun maintained a stern expression and said, “Xiaoyan, your idea of using an anhydrous ethanol injection, while a bit fanciful, is indeed a novel approach to the surgery.”

“It’s consistent with the reputation you’ve been building in the hospital.”

“However…”

Lo Jun’s face darkened, and his tone suddenly filled with anger. “How dare you claim a forty to fifty percent chance of success?”

“Which of your teachers gave you the gall to spout such irresponsible nonsense?”

Hearing this accusation, Yan Feifan became quite displeased.

Lo Jun’s voice, gradually rising in volume, once again hit Yan Feifan’s ears. “Xiaoyan, do you have any idea that injecting ethanol into an intrathecal tumor will cause it to rapidly infiltrate the spinal cord’s gray matter, resulting in catastrophic damage?”

“You’d be taking out eight hundred enemies, but losing a thousand of your own men!”

Yan Feifan retorted, not to be outdone, “By strictly controlling the dosage and location of the injection, and managing the surgical timing perfectly, excessive damage to the gray matter and nerve bundles can be avoided.”

Lo Jun hadn’t expected this young doctor to dare talk back, and his gaze instantly became exceptionally sharp.

“Precise dosage control, strict localization, perfect timing—I can’t do it, and neither can any of my colleagues in the department.”

“Xiaoyan, why don’t you tell me, who can?”

Yan Feifan pointed to his own nose and said, “I can’t say I can do it a hundred percent of the time, but sixty to seventy percent is achievable.”

Hearing this, Lo Jun was beside himself with fury.

“In my department, a neurosurgeon wouldn’t dare to lead a similar surgery without at least ten years of clinical experience!”

“Xiaoyan, how long have you even been working that you dare to make such a shameless boast?”

Wang Chuan felt it was necessary to explain a few things on Yan Feifan’s behalf and interrupted, “Mr. Lo…”

Lo Jun turned and glared at him, saying with contempt, “You, a plastic surgeon, stay out of this…”

Those words nearly made Wang Chuan’s nose crooked with rage.

In a hospital, a pecking order of contempt exists.

Internists and surgeons look down on each other.

Cardiothoracic surgeons look down on general surgeons, but are in turn looked down upon by neurosurgeons and brain surgeons.

As for plastic surgeons, perhaps because of their high incomes which breed envy, they are despised by all other surgeons combined.

Furious as he was, Wang Chuan could only swallow his anger. The other man was more famous and senior.

“Xiaoyan, are you aware that your few irresponsible words have seriously affected Mr. Pan’s surgical plan?”

“As a doctor, being rigorous is an absolute necessity. You can’t let others’ praise get to your head and cause you to overestimate yourself.”

Lo Jun’s tone softened slightly. “We see cases like the cautionary tale of Zhong Yong everywhere. Moreover, it’s not uncommon for a doctor’s entire career to be ruined by a single moment of carelessness that someone else latches onto.”

Hearing this, Yan Feifan could tell that the man had sought him out specifically out of a sense of responsibility.

Yan Feifan held back the retort he was about to make.

The other party didn’t believe him in his heart. No matter what he said, it would be useless. The only thing that could convince them was cold, hard facts.

Seeing Yan Feifan’s attitude become more deferential, Lo Jun spoke again, his tone a mix of anger and disappointment, “Xiaoyan, you have a bit of a name among the young doctors, which proves you have real skill. How can you debase yourself by staying in plastic surgery?”

“How about this, I still have an open spot for an assistant. If you’re willing, you can come and study under me for a while.”

He then sighed, “Young doctors these days are really getting more and more impetuous…”

Having someone poached right in front of him, Wang Chuan really couldn’t take it anymore.

“Mr. Lo…”

Although he called out, Lo Jun completely ignored him and simply turned around and left…

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