Doctor: Picking Up Attributes in the Hospital-Chapter 447 - 375: Surgery for a Fetus?

This made Zhao Heng feel somewhat flattered. There’s a saying, isn’t there? Once you have money, or an elevated status, everyone around you seems to be a good person.

"Since all the directors are here, I’ll first introduce the patient, no, the condition of the young patient."

OB-GYN Director Zhou Hong slowly began to speak.

As soon as Zhou Hong said this, the directors present all frowned. If it’s a young patient, shouldn’t they be transferred to the neonatal department?

Why a consultation in obstetrics?

"I understand your confusion, directors. If it’s really a young patient, why not transfer to the neonatal department."

Seeing the confusion on the directors’ faces, Zhou Hong continued.

"The reason is, this young patient is still in the mother’s womb. In other words, the patient is a 32-week-old fetus."

After pausing for a moment, Zhou Hong continued to explain without keeping them in suspense.

What?

A fetus?

The directors present all looked puzzled and full of questions.

As the saying goes, a pregnancy lasts ten months, typically the gestational period is about 28 to 49 weeks.

If a pregnancy reaches a full 37 weeks, then delivery can occur. Delivery before 37 weeks is considered premature, falling into the range of 28-37 weeks; beyond 37 weeks is considered a normal full-term birth.

"During a prenatal checkup, using 3D imaging ultrasound, we discovered the fetus has an extremely severe aortic valve stenosis. According to the current development, it might not hold on for a week before fetal demise occurs."

Zhou Hong continued explaining the situation.

"Director Zhou, in that case, can’t we deliver the child first, and then operate on the newborn?"

Neonatal Department Director Li Hongyu asked.

In the neonatal department, they deal with newborns every day. Performing surgeries on newborns due to various congenital diseases is something Li Hongyu has certainly encountered before.

"This point needs to be explained by Director Huang."

Zhou Hong nodded to Li Hongyu, acknowledging that this question is indeed the point of uncertainty for all the department heads present.

If the fetus has issues, why not wait until it’s born to operate?

Though operating on newborns is extremely challenging, it’s something the directors at Eastern Hospital have attempted and succeeded at before.

"It’s very simple, given the development of the fetal aortic stenosis, once delivered, the heart wouldn’t have enough blood pressure to function. Upon birth, the child would suffer rapid heart failure and die immediately, without any time for resuscitation."

Huang Jincheng stated sternly and slowly.

With this, the directors present suddenly realized that this was not a simple consultation.

Generally speaking, if a fetus develops aortic stenosis during the early pregnancy period, as the gestation progresses, the volume of blood filling the left ventricle continues to decline, leading to severe underdevelopment and heart failure.

Especially during delivery, in utero, the placenta serves as the fetus’s "artificial heart-lung machine," providing blood and oxygen. However, once delivered, the infant’s heart and lungs must circulate independently. Due to congenital deficiencies, the malformed heart rapidly incurs heart failure, directly leading to death.

"If the newborn would inevitably die, then the only option is to perform an in-utero aortic valve stenosis intervention while still in the womb."

Neonatal Department Director Li Hongyu said gravely.

As the director of the neonatal department, the most challenging surgeries involve doing interventional procedures on newly-born infants with arterial stenosis, in conjunction with cardiac surgery—it’s already extremely difficult.

Newborns are like extremely fragile porcelain, with very tiny arteries. A slightly excessive movement could puncture a newborn’s artery, causing severe hemorrhaging and death.

Performing such cardiac intervention on a fetus, frankly, is something he has never encountered.

"Yes, as of now, to save the child, this is the only way, and this procedure has no precedent in Asia before," Zhou Hong nodded and stated.

"Are there any surgical plans in place yet?"

Neonatal Department Director Li Hongyu furrowed his brows and asked.

"Director Huang?"

Zhou Hong turned to Huang Jincheng at this query.

"As it stands, from the cardiology department’s side, we recommend performing a cesarean section, followed by external uterine delivery treatment. First, perform a cesarean section on the mother to expose the fetus, then conduct intrauterine cardiac intervention on the fetus."

Huang Jincheng articulated slowly.

With these words, there was a sense of astonishment among those present.

For a fetus just 32 weeks old, the diameter of the umbilical vessels is only 2-3mm at most. To carry out a puncture in such a confined space is akin to throwing a coin into a trash can from across a basketball court.

Moreover, fetal surgery must hit its mark in one attempt; there’s no room for a second chance.

This means it’s a one-shot, life-or-death procedure!

"Director Huang, I have no doubts about your skills, but performing such cardiac interventions requires a competent assistant, right? From what I know, no one else in the hospital has the interventional level to match yours," said Neonatal Department Director Li Hongyu with some skepticism.

His doubts mirrored those of the other directors present.

"No, besides myself, there’s another who can conduct such interventional punctures," Huang Jincheng replied with a smile at Li Hongyu’s skepticism.

"Another person?"

"I had no idea."

"Is there really such a skilled person?!"

At Huang Jincheng’s words, the directors started discussing with a buzz.

"This person is Deputy Director Zhao from the Anesthesia Center. I’ve witnessed his cardiac intervention skills; he’s more than qualified to assist me," Huang Jincheng said, turning to Zhao Heng amid the directors’ curiosity.

What?

Zhao Heng, deep in thought about who it might be, found himself under everyone’s gaze as soon as Huang Jincheng spoke.

"Also, Deputy Director Zhao’s level in anesthesia is quite high, providing another layer of safety for both mother and fetus."

After a pause, Huang Jincheng continued.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Heng started to realize that Huang Jincheng was recommending him!

Could it be that this pregnant woman’s family isn’t ordinary?

If not, why was Huang Jincheng so keen to recommend him to assist in the surgery?

In reality, Zhao Heng was the only one with the required level of expertise to assist Huang Jincheng with the fetal cardiac intervention.

"Deputy Director Zhao, how do you feel about this?"

After Huang Jincheng spoke, Zhou Hong also looked to Zhao Heng.

"If it’s just anesthesia and assisting with the intervention, I see no issues,"

Zhao Heng nodded. Although unsure why Huang Jincheng made such a strong recommendation, he trusted the senior wouldn’t harm him and agreed for the time being.

Following this, the directors of other departments departed, leaving behind the directors of cardiothoracic surgery, surgery, the neonatal department, as well as Zhao Heng and OB-GYN Director Zhou Hong.

"Now that all directors involved in the surgery are here, I’ll lay cards on the table,"

Zhou Hong, after looking at the present individuals, slowly began to speak.

"This pregnant woman is the daughter-in-law of the top head of our hospital’s central committee. With that said, everyone should understand why I’ve been so earnest about this matter."

Getting straight to the point, Zhou Hong spoke eloquently.

Those present were directors within Eastern Hospital, equivalent to deans in other hospitals.

Thus, they understood the weight of this patient all the more.

Zhao Heng was dumbfounded upon hearing it. The daughter-in-law of the top head?

It might not sound as catchy as Ma Jianteng’s son, Ma Xiaochen, the richest man, but in reality, it had an immense influence on doctors.

Thinking of this, Zhao Heng glanced at Huang Jincheng, finally understanding why Huang Jincheng was so keen to recommend him.

Though Zhao Heng’s mentor, Gao Jun’s father is considered the second person in charge, those familiar know that being second doesn’t top number one.

The authority of the one in charge is evident to anyone who’s experienced it; there’s no need for further explanation.