Free Web NovelChapter 1071: Chapter 1071: Liu Yiqing’s Misdiagnosis (Part 2)
How to explain to the patient’s family is a very serious issue and a very important one as well.
Today’s matter is neither too big nor too small. It depends on the attitude of the patient’s family, whether they want to make a fuss about it or not.
Although Liu Yiqing bears no responsibility, her mood will still be affected.
"This is no big deal, I’ll go with you," Liu Banxia said with a smile.
Liu Yiqing let out a long breath, as she hadn’t figured out how to explain to the patient’s family.
"But I also said, today it’s a very important and invaluable lesson for you, one that’s hard to come by. So I’ll go with you, but I won’t speak," Liu Banxia added.
Liu Yiqing was stunned, wanting to tell him, if you won’t speak, why are you coming along? But she thought it’s better to have him there, at least it gives her some courage.
Li Liwei looked at Liu Banxia with a smile, this guy is really tough when it comes to nurturing the six interns.
Normally, at this stage, issues with misdiagnosis should be communicated to the patient’s family by a higher-level physician.
This can avoid direct conflicts and also protect the main surgeon.
Now, Liu Banxia actually let Liu Yiqing charge ahead. It seems cruel, but there’s deep meaning behind it.
No matter the outcome, the impact of this misdiagnosis on Liu Yiqing will be greatly reduced. If communication is smooth enough, and if the patient’s family is understanding, there might be no impact at all.
Although it’s risky, the gain could be significant.
Plus, he doesn’t believe that if something happens, Liu Banxia would just stand by with his arms crossed. With his protective nature, would he really just watch?
And Liu Yiqing? She’s feeling a mix of anxiety, her mind in turmoil.
She hasn’t experienced something like this before, and in her view, it’s more challenging than informing the patient’s family about a surgical failure, or that their loved one wasn’t saved.
When it’s someone else’s business, no matter how empathetic you are, it’s still someone else’s problem. This involves herself, and she can’t predict the situation she’ll face next.
"Is Liu Jing’s family here? Please come over," Liu Yiqing called out softly when she got outside, her voice lacking some confidence.
"Doctor, is it done so quickly?" The husband and parents of the patient ran over.
"Some new issues arose during the surgery," Liu Yiqing said, trying to hold herself together.
"During the surgery, we found that although the tip of Liu Jing’s appendix was somewhat swollen, it shouldn’t cause such severe pain. After switching to a midline incision for exploration, we discovered she had Meckel’s diverticulum, which is..."
"Hold on, didn’t you say a small incision would suffice? Why was a midline incision done? Won’t there be a scar on her belly?" The patient’s husband interrupted Liu Yiqing.
"I’m very sorry about that; during the ultrasound, the diverticulum overlapped with the appendix, so it was identified as appendicitis based on the images," Liu Yiqing explained.
"When exploring through the first incision, I felt another tissue similar to the appendix; it felt very smooth, which suggested there was some effusion."
"In this situation, only a midline incision would allow us to investigate clearly. The intestines are distributed in various parts of the abdominal cavity, and she also had some intestinal torsion; we needed to check if there was any ischemic necrosis in the surrounding intestines."
"So this is your responsibility, right? What about the scar in the future?" The patient’s husband raised his voice.
Liu Banxia still didn’t speak; this was Liu Yiqing’s lesson, she had to handle it herself for now.
"I understand your feelings. Regarding this issue, I suggest we discuss it after the surgery. We..."
"How can it be discussed after the surgery? What if you don’t take responsibility then? Initially, you said it was appendicitis, and a little over one centimeter incision would suffice. What kind of doctor are you to have misdiagnosed?" The patient’s husband interrupted Liu Yiqing again.
"I... I..."
Liu Yiqing was too anxious to speak and tears rolled down her face.
By this time, a lot of waiting family members of other patients had gathered around, knowing there was some drama to watch.
Liu Banxia patted her shoulder, "Regarding your wife’s situation, if you think there was a mistake in our diagnosis, you can file a complaint with our hospital’s medical office or with the Health Construction Commission."
"But the most crucial issue now is your wife’s surgery. If..."
"What surgery? How dare you have surgery here in this deceitful place?" The patient’s husband interrupted Liu Banxia before he finished.
"And you two, do you think the same? What is your relation to the patient?" Liu Banxia looked at the older couple.
"These are my parents. If there’s anything, speak to me," the patient’s husband said.
Liu Banxia nodded, "Now I understand. I was wondering why everything wasn’t focused on what the patient is actually diagnosed with."
"You..."
Upon hearing Liu Banxia’s words, the patient’s husband couldn’t hold back and directly grabbed his surgical gown.
"Don’t get physical. If you do, even if you’re right, you’ll seem wrong." Liu Banxia said calmly.
"Yes, young man, you should listen to what the doctor has to say first. Isn’t the person still in the operating room?" someone beside them advised.
"How can I trust them now? They might end up killing my wife." The patient’s husband said.
Liu Banxia nodded, "She is indeed in danger. Meckel’s diverticulum is a congenital disease caused by the incomplete closure of the vitelline duct during development, connecting to the ileum."
"You can search this disease online later using your phone. It’s rarely diagnosed correctly the first time, especially when it’s accompanied by mild intestinal torsion, as it has a high overlap with appendicitis."
"This condition might never be discovered in a lifetime, but there seems to be debris in the diverticulum now, causing inflammation. During our examination, we found severe edema in the diverticulum and some effusion."
"I’m not trying to give Dr. Liu undue credit, but if the surgery wasn’t performed in time and the diverticulum ruptured, it would lead to peritonitis, which is life-threatening."
"So, as you just mentioned, closing the abdomen and going to another hospital for treatment isn’t realistic. The diverticulum could rupture at any moment, leaving no time for you."
"As for the scar you’re worried about, it’s not an issue. Our suturing technique is quite good, and the incision isn’t very long. With cosmetic suturing, after a year, there might be only a faint mark or possibly no mark at all."
"The second issue we came to discuss with you is that the effusion from the diverticulum has contaminated the appendix, causing mild inflammation."
"We wanted to ask if you would like us to remove the appendix along with the diverticulum during the surgery. You can question our ethics, but the specimens removed during surgery won’t lie."
"The diverticulum shouldn’t even be in the human body, and we can’t change that. We haven’t charged you extra for the change in surgical procedure either. Our goal is the same, which is to benefit the patient."
"We’ve already wasted some time. I can give you ten more minutes. You can ask someone you trust or call the Health Construction Commission for advice, then let us know your decision."
"If you insist on not proceeding with the surgery, that’s also possible. I’ll prepare a notice of withdrawal from surgery for you, which will list the patient’s current condition. The decision is now in your hands."
Liu Banxia maintained a calm demeanor throughout, devoid of any emotional tone. Although he seemed cold and indifferent, his attitude managed to calm the patient’s husband down.
The patient’s husband hesitated, which was a normal consideration.
"You should look it up on your phone. ’Diverticulum’ means ’rest’." Liu Banxia added.
"And as I’ve mentioned, if you want to hold someone accountable, you can file a complaint with our medical office or the Health Construction Commission. This is clear-cut, and there are many people listening."
The patient’s husband took out his phone and started searching on it.
"If the surgery is done, how will the cost be calculated?" After a while, the patient’s husband asked.
"The base of her diverticulum is quite broad, so it can’t be treated like an appendix. We need to perform a diverticulum resection and small bowel anastomosis to prevent future intestinal stenosis." Liu Banxia explained.
"The cost will definitely be higher than a simple appendectomy, but we won’t offer any discounts. Because in today’s situation, what seems like a misdiagnosis was actually not our fault."
"You can also reserve your opinion. After the surgery, you can consult the Health Construction Commission. The decision that remains is whether to remove the appendix, as the tip is already showing edema."
"Go ahead, do it all. But until this matter is clarified, I won’t pay the surgical fee." The patient’s husband said.
"Understood, I’d consider the same. We’ll proceed with the surgery now. It should be finished in about an hour." Liu Banxia nodded and led Liu Yiqing back.
He didn’t comfort her; these things she has to process on her own.
"What’s wrong? Did the patient’s family cause a scene?" Li Liwei asked when he saw Liu Yiqing return with red eyes.
Liu Banxia nodded, "The patient’s husband was a bit emotional. Dr. Liu isn’t as seasoned as I am, so she was at a loss for words."
"No, I wasn’t." Liu Yiqing murmured.
"Well, can you handle the upcoming surgery smoothly?" Liu Banxia asked.
"Huh? You still want me to do it? Isn’t there a conflict of interest?" Liu Yiqing asked in surprise.
"Conflict my ass, I’ll be here overseeing it. How far can this conflict go? You didn’t do anything wrong." Liu Banxia said with a smile.
"I don’t believe anyone could distinguish between a diverticulum and appendicitis in a situation like this. If you’re hesitant, just say so. There’s no conflict of interest involved. Did he give you a red envelope?"
"Who’s hesitant? I was just worried you wouldn’t let me do it. First deal with the diverticulum, then remove the appendix." Liu Yiqing replied.
Everyone stifled their laughter. She had been downcast just moments ago, and now she’s full of vigor. It has to be said that Liu Banxia understands her personality thoroughly; it only takes a word.
