"Spleen preservation surgery is divided into in situ spleen preservation surgery and heterotopic spleen preservation surgery, determined by the grading of spleen injury."

"Although it's called spleen preservation surgery, essentially, it's about spleen necrosis tissue removal surgery and hemostasis technique."

"For now, what's within your capabilities are biological adhesive technique, hemostatic gauze packing, microwave coagulation hemostasis skill, and simple suturing, which correspond to Grade I-2 splenic rupture."

"If it's a Grade 2 to 3 rupture, then it requires omentum reinforcement suturing, splenic artery ligation + local suturing, which you need to thoroughly grasp."

"In the future, such as spleen segment, spleen segmentectomy, partial splenectomy, interlocking suture removal, ultrasonic aspiration knife resection, vascularized pedicle spleen transplantation after splenectomy, spleen embolization surgery, these can all be learned gradually."

"The difficulty of liver preservation surgery is slightly higher than that of spleen preservation surgery, you know..." Chen Song, hands behind his back, meticulously broke down the surgical techniques and indications of spleen preservation surgery for Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng nodded slightly, glanced at Professor Tong Yuan'an, and upon seeing that he wasn't particularly angry, replied, "Teacher Chen, I know, given my current capabilities, I'm only able to perform splenectomy and suturing for Grade 1 to 2 spleen injuries."

"That's already quite good, thanks to your solid basic skills in suturing, enabling delicate operations during suturing."

Chen Song concluded, "The suturing skills from hand surgery are indeed very practical." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Zeng Huanqi timely offered a cigarette, "How about a smoke, teachers?"

"Let's go."

"Let's go," both Tong Yuan'an and Chen Song did not refuse.

...

In the cramped but open space of the emergency comprehensive ward's fire escape leading outdoors, Chen Song, while puffing smoke, looked at Zeng Huanqi and said:

"Xiao Zeng, though spleen suturing doesn't demand high suturing skills, failing to accomplish orange pulp suturing, handling such an operation poses too high an error cost for patients."

"Moreover, orange pulp suturing is a skill they must master by their second year as specialized postgraduates in hand surgery; failing to master it is considered falling behind."

"Naturally, in our emergency and general surgery departments, orange pulp suturing is regarded as a standard upon professional PhD graduation; our standards differ."

Zeng Huanqi grinned wryly, accompanying it with a smile, "I understand, Teacher Chen, Xiao Lu is not only skilled in basic suturing but also in hemostasis technique, which is crucial in spleen preservation surgery, so he'll progress quicker."

"Here, we mostly performed splenectomy and non-surgical spleen preservation previously, so detailed references for entry-level learning were hard to find."

Chen Song said, "Of course, such information can't be given arbitrarily; each hospital's developmental level differs. Exposing too much to the public would only increase the already tense medical disputes."

"Surgical learning involves many subtleties and details, and knowledge is usually passed privately, not widely disseminated."

"Everyone's destiny varies; splenectomy is fundamentally a one-off solution."

"Spleen preservation surgery might lead to spleen necrosis, necessitating a re-operation among other complications..."

"As for Xiao Lu, his comprehension is quite outstanding. One's fundamental aptitude is best reflected in the pace and level of basic skills acquisition."

Tong Yuan'an roughly understood the ecosystem at the county hospital and knew that Zeng Huanqi gave Lu Cheng a chance, explaining, "Dr. Zeng, during their master's and PhD at Xiangya Hospital, they don't study special surgical techniques."

"It's about refining their basics, firstly to pressure their comprehension and secondly, once the foundation is solid, learning simple surgeries becomes easier."

"Take Chen Song's spleen preservation surgery, for instance, give me two weeks, and I can definitely perform it better than him."

Zeng Huanqi heard Tong Yuan'an disparage Chen Song, glanced at Chen Song, and saw that he did not refute, nor did he show any expression, almost as if conceding to the fact.

"I see, that means one's theoretical and basic skills comprehensively reflect their overall potential."

"Previously, without specialized training, we started working right after undergraduate studies, so I hadn't heard such things before," Zeng Huanqi said, seemingly enlightened.

Chen Song, allowing Zeng Huanqi to finish, chided, "Tong Yuan'an, stop boasting! If it's a splenic artery dissection type of injury, you'd just stare blankly, wouldn't you?"

"With your basic skills in hemostasis technique, if faced with a femoral artery dissection, the patient wouldn't stand a chance..."

"Wouldn't a vascular transplant solve it?" Tong Yuan'an countered.

Chen Song retorted, "That's why you hand surgeons make money!!!"

"Why don't you perform ECMO on a common cold patient?" Chen Song elegantly commented on excessive medical treatment.

Zeng Huanqi, curious, shifted the topic, "Teacher Chen, Teacher Tong, based on your assessment, how is Xiao Lu's potential in your departments?"

Tong Yuan'an said, "Ranked third in our department!"

Chen Song: "Second in our department."

Tong Yuan'an's chubby face instantly lit up with a victorious, beaming smile, swaying his large hips triumphantly as if he had gained the upper hand, returning fairness to the world.

Seeing Zeng Huanqi's serene expression, Chen Song added, "The ranking we mentioned includes ourselves..."

Zeng Huanqi's legs shivered, his entire being trembled, mouth slightly agape, Adam's apple rolling as he swallowed, "N-No way?"

To become an associate professor at Xiangya Hospital and Xiangya Second Hospital, one needs not just academic credentials but also opportunity, determination, aptitude, and may even require significant research potential.

"More or less... it's hard to evaluate precisely for now," Chen Song said no more.

Then handed another one to Zeng Huanqi, "Xiao Zeng, another one?"

"I'm good, I need to attend the shift handover," Zeng Huanqi politely declined, quickly retreating, leaving the battleground to Tong Yuan'an and Chen Song.

After Zeng Huanqi left, Tong Yuan'an exhaled, lighting another cigarette with a click, "Chen Song, lay your plan out, what exactly do you intend for Xiao Lu?"

"I've not decided yet, but it surely won't involve you, Tong Yuan'an."

"If you don't want Director Xiang to call you a scoundrel directly, I advise you to refrain from any shady business, okay?" Chen Song smiled slyly, his tone seemingly harmless yet advisory.

Tong Yuan'an, a person Chen Song knew quite thoroughly.

Xiang Dongshan is the Director of Emergency Surgery at Xiangya Second Hospital and the Chief of Emergency Department, notoriously hot-tempered with a reputation for verbal tirades, feared and known throughout Xiangya Second Hospital surgery departments.

Tong Yuan'an's eyes whirled, almost like scraping the fat lay of the eyelid thin, "You've even registered Lu Cheng with Director Xiang? Based on what?"

Chen Song said, "Not exactly registered, but Director Xiang expressed willingness to give him an opportunity if he can reach that level. The Cyan Cloud Ladder is right there, wide open for those who are capable to climb."

"Even the position of deputy director in our department is available for you."

"What's so pitiful about that?"

The Cyan Cloud Ladder implies skyrocketing success; however, the price to buy one's way in is high. Nationwide, those capable of this feat don't exceed the count on one hand.

These individuals are usually highly sought after, not easily relinquishing their positions.

Tong Yuan'an hesitated for a moment, "If Xiao Lu chooses this path, it will take quite some time, a decade at least."

"The question is, would Xiao Lu be willing?"

Chen Song didn't doubt it, "Why wouldn't he be? Because of your chunky face?"

"It's Huashan you mentioned," Tong Yuan'an's voice softened, "To be possessed by a single fixation, there must be a reason."

Chen Song was slightly startled, his gaze turning pensive…