Although Tan Yuan doesn't perform Liver Preservation Surgery, he has done liver-related surgeries, and he can tell that Lu Cheng's debridement is very meticulous, almost perfectly removing the necrotic tissue while not damaging the normal liver parenchyma.

Moreover, Lu Cheng's speed is fast, seemingly to save time and restore blood flow to the liver as soon as possible.

So how to restore blood flow?

By reconnecting the ruptured liver.

Suturing and rebuilding the liver ducts and vessels, perfectly anastomosing them, to restore blood circulation, enabling the patient's blood circulation and liver system to function normally.

The basic principle of hepatic segmentectomy and lobectomy is exactly this.

However, the actual difficulty is very high, and it's not achievable without a certain level of skill.

"It would be great if Professor Chen Song were here." Tan Yuan repeated what Han Xiaoping had said earlier.

Lu Cheng glanced at Tan Yuan but didn't respond.

They're speaking of hypotheticals, but reality isn't made of hypotheticals.

However, Lu Cheng is quite conflicted, knowing that Professor Chen Song is in Long County, but the problem is, Professor Chen Song is now fully dedicated to scientific research.

He has no clinical tasks. He might even be drinking now; should Lu Cheng disturb him?

If he disturbs Chen Song, won't others find out that Chen Song is in Long County? Will they disturb him often in the future?

Can he perform liver debridement and repair + hepatectomy + choledochojejunostomy on this patient?

Lu Cheng weighed the possibilities himself. The odds shouldn't be low.

Yet, Lu Cheng can't do these now because no senior associate chief is in the operating room yet. Lu Cheng can only perform simple operations.

Hemostasis and debridement are all basic procedures, primary techniques...

Finally, five minutes later, Director Lin Qianlong entered the operating room.

"Lu Cheng, how's it going?" Director Lin Qianlong asked formally, having already inquired about everything.

"Director Lin, we need you to take the lead on this." Lu Cheng replied politely.

Without any doubt, Lin Qianlong immediately went out to scrub in.

Lu Cheng and Lin Qianlong had long agreed that for surgeries unsuitable for Lu Cheng's title, Director Lin would step up.

Lin Qianlong is an associate chief physician, which is the highest title at Long County People's Hospital.

Long County People's Hospital primarily doesn't have a full chief physician, so an associate chief physician is the peak.

Associate chiefs can also lead level-four surgeries!

Lin Qianlong is also a seasoned associate chief physician.

As Lin Qianlong stepped up, anesthesiologist Liang Yaozhong brought good news: "The patient's blood pressure has risen a bit, proving the hemostasis is effective, huh."

"The systolic now is at 72, and the blood has arrived."

Lin Qianlong took a glance at the patient's condition and said: "The oxygen saturation is still a bit low."

Liang Yaozhong explained: "Your circulation system isn't particularly smooth, so naturally, the oxygen saturation won't come up!"

"Now it's at ninety-three percent; it's good enough."

"Take note, the patient's blood potassium is a bit high, and there might be arrhythmias. I've already called the cardiologist over."

"Okay, fine..." Lin Qianlong continued his task.

Soon, Tan Yuan noticed something was amiss.

Many times, it was only towards the final stages of operations performed by Lu Cheng that were handed over to Lin Qianlong for completion of rather simple steps.

But for each procedure, Lu Cheng handed over some tasks to Lin Qianlong.

In Tan Yuan's understanding, Lin Qianlong was entirely dispensable...

For instance, the last few stitches in suturing, the cutting of the last bits of necrotic tissue, tiny blood vessels in vascular suturing, or small vessels that weren't well-sealed, just letting Lin Qianlong seal with the ultrasonic scalpel...

Damn, even I could do that.

Tan Yuan isn't stupid; after just observing for a while, he realized something fishy was going on.

This surgery seemed led by Lin Qianlong, but in reality, it was Lu Cheng using Lin Qianlong's rank to perform the surgery.

No one dared say anything— with Lin Qianlong present, Lu Cheng couldn't possibly be the lead surgeon, only an assistant, and Lin Qianlong indeed wasn't idle.

Tan Yuan recalled how Director Du Qiang had valued Lu Cheng before—

Lu Cheng, emergency department, Professor Chen Song.

Director Lin Qianlong.

This Lu Cheng is certainly extraordinary...

Tan Yuan saw through it but didn't speak of it, admiring the entire operation with a focused gaze. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Time ticked by second by second; after three whole hours, Tan Yuan couldn't help but gulp down a few mouthfuls of saliva: "Director Lin is impressive, it's remarkable to perform a liver preservation in such a situation."

Tan Yuan's tone was a bit sharp.

But Lin Qianlong didn't mind, casting a glance at Tan Yuan, and casually replied: "Dr. Tan, are you interested in giving guidance?"

Tan Yuan hurriedly shook his head: "I'm just amazed, Director Lin's skills are indeed extraordinary, almost sweeping across our entire Xiangzhou."

It's almost impossible for anyone in the county hospital to perform Liver Preservation Surgery, even in the city-level hospitals, few can do it.

Lin Qianlong didn't overdo it: "Comparisons don't matter; we all serve the public."

"Saving lives, not Liver Preservation." Imitating Lu Cheng's previously low-profile demeanor, Lin Qianlong replied.

Then reiterated for the circulating nurse: "Record this surgery meticulously, don't note it as Liver Preservation Surgery, just debridement and liver resection with liver suturing, plus cholecystojejunal anastomosis."

Lin Qianlong only mentioned the fundamental steps.

No Liver Preservation Surgery, entirely basic operations— if the patient's liver survived, it was fortunate, but the surgical technique is still immature.

No one dared to criticize.

The patient was on the brink of death; can I not even perform debridement and suturing?

Director Lin is authoritative; naturally, no one dared to refute, simply listening quietly without objection.

But their gazes wandered over to Lu Cheng...

Blood circulation restored... no bleeding leaks, and Lin Qianlong continued leading the closure of the liver.

For such superficial liver suturing, Lin Qianlong could manage; otherwise, his director's title would be unworthy of any truth.

Lin Qianlong left the operating room early, leaving Lu Cheng and Han Xiaoping to complete the surgical closure, while he went out to 'show off' to the patient's family.

The patient was later transferred to the ICU...

Lu Cheng returned to the doctor's office to begin writing the surgical report, his face serious, without the slightest hint of excitement or joy.

At three in the morning, Zhang Tiesheng's emergency room was empty of patients, so he popped into the department, handing Lu Cheng a bottled drink, noticing Lu Cheng's drooping head and particularly dejected expression.

Then asked, "Xiao Lu, what's with the look, as if you couldn't save the patient?"

"The ICU said the patient's vital signs are stable, just slightly elevated blood counts, possibly indicating infection."

"No signs of reperfusion injury."

Lu Cheng turned his head, slowly reining in his expression and said, "Brother Zhang... I'm just too tired..."

Lu Cheng's internal conflict could not be expressed.

The choice was made, and as an adult, he had to accept all its consequences. This time, the Microsurgical Skills Competition would likely be out of reach for him; he might not even pass the provincial preliminaries.