Chapter 41: Academic Rigor!
Lu Cheng’s expression was a bit stiff, mainly because the framework Professor Tong Yuan’an described was too vast.
While China and Japan are naturally neighboring countries with a ‘friendly country’ relationship, this is merely a slogan that must be proclaimed. After all, it is already the 21st century.
As for the actual relationship and attitude…
It can be said that as long as they can gain an advantage over the other side, even if it’s just peeing farther, countless people will eagerly follow suit. This is a genetic lock ingrained in their bones.
“Teacher Tong, will this Tajima Suturing Technique be useful?” Lu Cheng did not respond directly but stared into Professor Tong Yuan’an’s eyes and retorted.
Academic competition is very normal, but if you want to surpass others and then have Lu Cheng learn such a technique and apply it to patients, what if it harms someone?
“According to reports, with the Tajima method plus carbon fiber reinforced sutures, professional athletes return to the field in just 6 months. Traditional suturing techniques require at least 9 months, and this is for Achilles tendon repair.”
Professor Tong Yuan’an finished and licked his lips: “Dislike it or not, this suturing technique does have its advantages.”
“If it wasn’t truly effective, we wouldn’t bother paying attention to such a clown.”
“But the foundation laid by Senior Tang Jinbo in tendon suturing techniques cannot be easily conceded.”
“And this treatment effect, according to legend, is something even the ‘improved Tang method’ cannot currently achieve…”
The world is developing, and technology is also developing. The Tang method was brilliant, redefining tendon suturing in no man’s land, but that is already a thing of the past.
If we look at history books, China’s brilliance is unparalleled, but it still cannot change its status as relatively weak in scientific and technological innovation. We cannot always rely on history.
The medical technology of those ‘little Japanese’ is indeed quite good.
Lu Cheng was relieved: “Then it’s fine, I can learn it…”
Since this Tajima Suturing Technique might be even better than the improved Tang method’s suturing effect, learning it would directly benefit the people of China and the patients in Long County.
When it comes to learning techniques, Lu Cheng does not care about the “nationality” of the technique!
Of course, after speaking, Lu Cheng lowered his head slightly, looked at Professor Tong Yuan’an with sincere eyes, and said in a fawning tone: “Teacher Tong, may I also learn your hospital’s suturing technique?”
“Why do you need to learn so much?”
“Your hospital’s improved Tang method alone is enough to dominate.” Professor Tong Yuan’an said.
“But, isn’t it better to learn everything possible? Teacher Tong, what do you think? Or, I can learn after your research project is completed.” Lu Cheng said.
Good techniques, Lu Cheng never has too many.
Because he has truly experienced the difficulty of mastering techniques.
Professor Tong Yuan’an nodded, his expression solemn: “Lu Cheng, it’s not that I don’t want to teach you, but research projects must be approached with the right attitude.”
“If you learn two techniques simultaneously and have similar proficiency in both, no one can be sure if you harbor ‘nationalistic disdain’ and are deliberately downplaying one to elevate the other, do you understand?”
“This is wrong. You can dislike something, but you cannot criticize a technique just for the sake of criticizing it.”
“Your Teacher Chen hasn’t encountered ideological disputes at this level, which is why he asked so ignorantly why I wouldn’t learn it.”
“You motherf***er! Speak properly…” Chen Song, who was sitting there, felt extremely wronged when Professor Tong Yuan’an hit him with a verbal blow.
“You asked a naive question yourself, and now you’re blaming me?” Professor Tong Yuan’an taunted.
Chen Song fell silent because he truly hadn’t experienced the comparison between two technical concepts.
This kind of ideological dispute is about saying, ‘My treatment is also effective, and yours is too, but to determine whose concept is better, we need to see it in practice.’
“So, Xiao Lu, my requirement for you is that you must be excellent, reach the extreme, and perfect your skills.”
“While the technique may originate from a friendly country, the patients receiving treatment are Chinese patients.” Professor Tong Yuan’an emphasized.
“Yes, alright, Teacher Tong, I will do my best.” Lu Cheng nodded vigorously, taking the words to heart.
Professor Tong Yuan’an’s words were correct. Techniques can come from abroad, but the direct recipients of one’s skills are countrymen, and it will be applied in Long County, possibly even to one’s own relatives and friends.
“There’s nothing else. Chen Song, I’ve stated my purpose, and I plan to stay in Long County for a while…” Professor Tong Yuan’an winked at Chen Song.
This meant that Chen Song was staying for three months for a promotion, while he was staying longer for a research project, and matters after Chen Song left would be discussed separately.
Chen Song fell silent.
Professor Tong Yuan’an was his friend, as well as his university classmate and roommate. They had a very good relationship, so Professor Tong Yuan’an spoke frankly.
While you, Chen Song, were here, I wouldn’t nag you, but after you leave, I will take over Xiao Lu.
Chen Song’s gaze retracted, and he said irritably: “That will be then, we’ll talk about it then!~”
“Don’t bring that up now, hurry up and eat. Can’t all this delicious food even shut your mouth?”
Professor Tong Yuan’an chuckled, his fleshy cheeks shaking: “Didn’t you ask me to say it? When I don’t speak, you’re arrogant, and when I speak, you’re unhappy. I’m happy.”
“Let’s drink.” Chen Song said.
…
“You can now routinely perform the improved Tang method, but before treating any patient, you must clearly explain that the current improved Tang method suturing for flexor tendons in District Two is not an absolute panacea.”
“There is still only about 85% success rate, and the remaining 15% still have a possibility of surgical failure, requiring a second surgery.”
“This success rate is not unique to your hospital; it’s the same worldwide. Although tendons in no man’s land are now defined as repairable, the success rate still hasn’t reached 90%.”
“As for learning the Tajima Suturing Technique, you’ll need to practice the Jin Xia Suturing Technique more. Once you reach a certain level of proficiency, I will teach it to you; don’t try to swallow too much at once.”
“Oh, right, also send me a video of your progress in practicing basic suturing skills. I’ll then give you some tips based on your proficiency…” After Lu Cheng saw Chen Song and Professor Tong Yuan’an back to the ‘dormitory’, he walked along Yuelu Avenue, recalling Professor Tong Yuan’an’s words.
He was in a good mood.
The sky was clear and blue, with not a cloud in sight, a warm breeze blowing gently, and he felt no chill.
How could it be cold in the middle of summer?
Lu Cheng chose not to take a taxi and continued walking, stretching his arms like a teenager, occasionally twisting his neck, and occasionally swaying his waist with evident contentment.
Currently, Deputy Chief Physician Xiang Daihong’s rural outreach has been postponed. Aside from Professor Tong Yuan’an, Lu Cheng is firmly established as the primary surgeon for tendon rupture cases in Long County.
The skills are within him; no one can take them away.
This feeling is truly wonderful…
Midway, Lu Cheng received a phone call and said, “Brother Zhang, I just drank some alcohol and can’t operate. Please refer the patient elsewhere.”
“Yes, that’s right!” Lu Cheng replied without any psychological burden.
Doctors are also human; they have a certain degree of freedom in their daily lives, including attending social events.
Lu Cheng has already dedicated most of his time to the hospital, and having a drink with his teacher is not wrong.
After all, before Lu Cheng, patients were always referred elsewhere. Even if Lu Cheng could perform tendon suturing surgery, he couldn’t be on call 24/7, 365 days a year; there would always be gaps in his availability.
To be able to routinely handle tendon suturing at all times, more people need to be proficient in tendon suturing.
The mastery of skills by an individual and the mastery of skills by a region are both gradual processes, with similar principles.
