CHAPTER 172: 172 LIU BANXIA’S HAND

The staff in the operating room were a bit flustered after receiving this news.

Many of them had experienced the incident last time, but they hadn’t expected that after Liu Banxia came to perform another freelance surgery, they’d hit another snag.

DING! Diagnosis and treatment completed.

200 experience points gained, 200 diagnostic skill proficiency points, 100 suturing skill proficiency points, 50 wound dressing skill proficiency points.

Looking at the pitiful reward, Liu Banxia felt helpless. Just an incision and sutures, plus a quick feel around... it wasn’t bad to get this much for it.

"Relax, we’re just going to try a different surgical approach. I’ll accompany you for a checkup later," Liu Banxia said to the patient, removing his mask.

"Dr. Liu, it’s not cancer, is it? You must tell me the truth," the patient asked, staring at him.

"It’s hard to be certain right now. We need to do an enhanced CT scan to know for sure," Liu Banxia replied.

"My personal judgment is that it’s diverticulitis because this lump doesn’t feel as smooth and firm as other lumps. Therefore, the likelihood of cancer is very low. It’s like a tiny pouch hanging on your intestine; it can be removed easily."

Despite his soothing words, the patient was far from calm. Even during the enhanced CT scan, tears streamed continuously.

Based on the results of the enhanced CT scan, there was indeed a mass in the cecum area. However, to validate Liu Banxia’s judgment, a colonoscopy was required.

The colonoscopy results were quite clear: Liu Banxia’s judgment was spot on. It was cecal wall diverticulitis.

"Dr. Liu, I’m truly in awe," Xu Chengjun said. "Cecal diverticulitis is rare in our country, and most cases occur in other parts of the colon. How on earth did you detect it by touch?"

"Haha, a lucky guess," Liu Banxia said with a laugh. "Mass is just a layman’s term we use. This particular one had an interesting shape. Actually, I was initially considering extending the incision to see what it was."

"Now, you can completely relax. This will be a very standard removal surgery. However, thorough pre-operative preparation is needed. The inflammation isn’t particularly severe at the moment."

"Dr. Liu, am I really going to be okay? Could you perform the surgery?" the patient asked him.

"I’m afraid I can’t. The earliest it could be done is tomorrow, and I have to work at the Second Affiliated Hospital tomorrow," Liu Banxia replied.

"Later, I’ll give a copy of your case file to my senior for him to take a look. He’s more proficient than I am in this area, so he’d be a more reliable choice. I learned many of my surgical skills from him, so don’t worry."

"Old Xu, is surgery absolutely necessary?" the patient’s father asked.

Xu Chengjun nodded. "Surgery is indeed necessary; it’s the safest approach. Although it can be managed with non-surgical treatments, this diverticulitis won’t be completely cured by those methods."

"It’s like a part of the intestinal wall bulges out due to internal pressure, forming a pouch. Once formed, it can’t retract. There’s often mild inflammation, and if it flares up badly, it can cause intestinal spasms, perforation, or necrosis, which would be very dangerous."

"That’s exactly right," Liu Banxia added. "Conservative treatment can be attempted, but I think surgical removal is better."

"Diverticulitis is more dangerous than appendicitis. Often, we might not even detect it during routine examinations. When it does flare up, it progresses much faster than appendicitis."

"Moreover, when I was palpating the appendix, I also felt some inflamed tissue. For the child’s sake, removal is safer. As long as we prepare well before the surgery, the chances of complications can be greatly reduced."

"Chief Director Xu, let’s leave it at that for today. I still need to entertain these young ladies. You have Dr. Shi’s number, right? You can coordinate the timing with him," Liu Banxia said.

Xu Chengjun nodded. "Thank you, Dr. Liu. Please, attend to your guests. We’ll stay in touch by phone."

This was a gesture of goodwill; Liu Banxia had done his utmost to keep this operation at the district hospital. Even though they were friends, the patient’s family wouldn’t necessarily choose to have the surgery here otherwise.

"Let’s go, I’ll treat you to something tasty," Liu Banxia called out as he entered the conference room.

"Why did it take so long? You said it would take less than half an hour," Qiaoqiao complained.

"Qiaoqiao, Dr. Liu is very skilled, and his hands are even more so!" Qing Kewa said delightfully.

"Alright, alright, we know your Dr. Liu is amazing," Qiaoqiao said, pumping her small fist. "I’m starving! Let’s eat, let’s eat!"

Just as they got into the car, Liu Banxia’s phone chimed. He picked it up to see a notification: Xu Chengjun had transferred 1,000 yuan to him. He accepted it without hesitation.

"Why do you look so pleased?" Wang Xiaoyan asked curiously.

"Although the surgery didn’t go through today, Chief Director Xu still gave me a fee for my trouble. It’s enough for us to have a nice lunch," Liu Banxia said.

"My goodness, do you doctors make money that easily?" Qiaoqiao asked in surprise. "No surgery, and you still get a fee for your trouble?"

"Easy for me, huh?" Liu Banxia retorted. "I rushed all the way here hoping to make 5,000, and now I only get this. Master Zhang, that place on the right. We’ll head back after our meal," Liu Banxia said, pointing it out to Master Zhang.

Liu Banxia really had a fondness for this restaurant. Anyway, he had decided that whenever he was in this area, this would be his go-to place for meals. It might not look like much from the outside, but the food is authentic.

"Dr. Liu, why are your hands so agile, and your touch so sensitive?" Qing Kewa asked as they waited for their food.

"It’s just regular training," Liu Banxia said. "Here, extend your arm."

Qing Kewa obediently extended her arm, and Liu Banxia slid his index finger over it.

"Feel that?" Liu Banxia asked with a smile.

"Yep, I did! That’s really amazing!" Qing Kewa said delightedly.

"Feel what? Let me try too," Qiaoqiao said, extending her arm as well.

"Hehe, you’ve been waiting for this chance for a while, haven’t you, Qiaoqiao?" Wang Xiaoyan, who was leisurely sipping her juice, teased.

"Oh my goodness! Even with my fiery temper, I’m helpless against you, Wang Xiaoyan!" Qiaoqiao said in frustration.

"You’re acting like children. Here, feel it properly," Liu Banxia said, taking Qiaoqiao’s hand and gliding his finger along her arm as well.

"Damn it! Is that even a finger? It’s like a mini motor!" Qiaoqiao exclaimed in astonishment.

"Isn’t it amazing?" Qing Kewa asked.

Qiaoqiao nodded. "That doesn’t even feel like a human finger."

"Dr. Liu, try it on me too," Wang Xiaoyan, curious, also extended her arm.

Liu Banxia didn’t know what to say. He could only oblige and continue the finger-gliding demonstration.

"How can you move it so fast? Are all surgeons’ fingers this nimble?" Wang Xiaoyan asked after trying to mimic the movement with her own finger.

"No, not all of them," Qing Kewa said. "Dr. Liu’s hands are the most skilled."

Nearby, Liang Xiaolin frowned. She wanted to experience what it was like too but was too embarrassed to ask. Qiaoqiao’s and Wang Xiaoyan’s amazement didn’t faze her much, but if even Qing Kewa was this surprised, then there must be something to it.

After a moment’s hesitation, Liang Xiaolin also extended her arm. "Let me try too."

"I’ve noticed something," Liu Banxia said helplessly. "Even though you’re all grown women, you’re just like little kids, amazed by everything new."

Then he reached out and, seemingly casually, brushed his fingers along Liang Xiaolin’s arm.

This time, Liang Xiaolin understood. Looking at Liu Banxia’s hand, she was filled with pure envy. Why? Because when she watched, Liu Banxia’s fingers barely seemed to move up and down, yet on her arm, she could feel them tapping rapidly, like arpeggios on a piano, each touch with almost identical pressure. The high frequency of the taps indicated his digital dexterity. The consistent pressure perception meant his tactile sensitivity was acute. How could she not be envious? These skills were incredibly important for suturing and dissection.

At this moment, the food was served. The appetizing aroma made Liu Banxia’s mouth water.

"Master Zhang, please, dig in," Liu Banxia said with a smile after taking a bite. "The food here is really good."

"Don’t worry, Dr. Liu, I won’t hold back," Master Zhang replied.

"How did you train your hands?" Liang Xiaolin asked after eating for a while.

"Just practice slowly," Liu Banxia said. "But I don’t think this is something you can force. Take my senior, for example. His hand speed is definitely not as fast as mine now, but I can’t compare to him when it comes to fine suturing."

"Your hand speed isn’t slow either, just a bit lacking in stability. Keep practicing suturing grapes for another month, and then we’ll practice suturing tendons and blood vessels on chicken legs, things like that."

"It’s a shame these hands aren’t playing the piano," Qiaoqiao said. "You could be a concert pianist, right?"

Liu Banxia paused for a moment. "Haha, that doesn’t matter. I’m not musically inclined. Actually, I’m quite content now, especially in those moments when I pull a patient back from the brink of death. The endorphins in my brain are released like crazy, and it gives me a great sense of accomplishment."

"What are endorphins?" Qiaoqiao asked.

"Uh... explaining that would be complicated," Liu Banxia said, using the communal chopsticks to place a piece of Pork Belly on her plate. "Have some of this."

Qiaoqiao ate it with great relish. Although it looked oily, it wasn’t greasy at all, and the texture was fantastic.

"See? That feeling of satisfaction you have now? That’s the result of endorphins being released," Liu Banxia said. "Of course, there are many other examples in life, but some are a bit... risqué. Just enjoy your food."

Qiaoqiao wrinkled her nose. She didn’t quite get it. How had the topic suddenly become unsuitable for minors? Wang Xiaoyan leaned over and whispered a few words in her ear, instantly causing the usually bold Qiaoqiao to blush. She shot Liu Banxia an annoyed glance.

"See? Now you’re blaming me. I told you it wasn’t for minors," Liu Banxia said nonchalantly.

This left Qiaoqiao quite frustrated, much to the amusement of the other girls.

Especially Qing Kewa. She genuinely felt that these friends were wonderful. Her year of study at the hospital was going to be very fulfilling and joyful.