Chapter 1313: Investigation—No Other Choice

Chapter 1313: Chapter 1313: Investigation—No Other Choice

Some say time is money, some say time is life. Actually, time is just time; whatever you hope it to be, that’s what it is.

Because no matter how you think about it, time moves forward second by second.

Now everyone is holding their breath, looking at the patient’s wife. Whether she agrees to the exploratory laparoscopy is the key issue.

For the patient inside, time is both money and life.

But for the patient’s wife, this decision is equally difficult. To her, it feels even more risky.

"Doctor, can we wait until he comes out?"

After hesitating for a while, the patient’s wife spoke up.

"That’s possible. Just now I mentioned it might be okay, but I saw you were anxious, so I told you a bit earlier," Liu Banxia hastily replied.

"Alright, then. We need to discuss it when he comes out. Doctor, if we undergo that exploratory surgery, are we sure to find where the bleeding is?" asked the patient’s wife.

Liu Banxia hesitated a bit but shook his head, "No one can guarantee that, but we currently suspect two locations."

"One is his small intestine, and the other is the stones in his pancreatic duct. Based on what we know, the bleeding point is likely in one of these two locations."

"However, symptoms can vary, and without clear indicators, no doctor can give a 100% guarantee."

The patient’s wife nodded, and at this moment, the patient was also being wheeled out.

The patient’s wife hurriedly went over and briefly recounted what Liu Banxia had just said.

After hearing his wife’s account, the patient was equally bewildered. Right now, two emotions dominated him: worry and fear.

His worry was that his illness might remain undiagnosed. Otherwise, why would so many tests fail to reveal where he’s bleeding from?

Yet, they have to open up his abdomen and search inside.

"Doctor, is this the only option left?" the patient asked with a wry smile, his tone weak.

Liu Banxia slowly and firmly nodded, "I also told your wife, I can’t guarantee 100% that exploratory laparoscopy will find the source of bleeding."

"But I am fairly confident because you have rectal bleeding, and there are only so many places in our digestive tract. We have checked all areas we can, and what’s left are the areas we cannot examine."

"Whether it’s your small intestine or pancreatic duct, our current equipment can’t probe inside. If we do the exploratory surgery, we will start with the small intestine."

"The pancreatic duct is indeed a risky area because it secretes pancreatic juice that helps digest food. The corrosiveness of pancreatic juice is very strong, so we will be quite cautious."

"Let’s not rush this decision. Take some time to think it over, maybe twenty minutes? Your blood pressure has stabilized, so try to remain calm."

After speaking, Liu Banxia nodded to Su Wenhao, indicating they should find a relatively quiet place for the couple, but not too far from the emergency equipment.

"Sigh... What to do now? I’m really worried they will insist on not doing the tests," Xu Yino sighed.

"Even if they do, we can only try our best to persuade them," Liu Banxia replied.

"But I still think in the end they will agree to the exploratory surgery because it’s a matter of life. It’s just that suddenly facing such a situation is hard for him to digest psychologically."

"Teacher Liu, if that’s the case, who knows when you’ll get home tonight," Xu Yino said.

"I’ll inform Qiaoqiao in a bit. If there’s bleeding in the small intestine, it’s easier to handle. You can manage it. But bleeding in the pancreatic duct, well, that’s a bit tricky."

"Yes, that’s a major surgery. Teacher Liu, where do you think the bleeding might be?" Xu Yino asked curiously.

She knew well that if the bleeding in the pancreatic duct caused the current situation, the surgery would be very challenging. So she was curious about Liu Banxia’s judgment.

"If I had to guess, it might be that small stone in the pancreatic duct causing it," Liu Banxia replied.

"Even though the chances are low, it doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Stones come in all shapes and sizes; if a sharp edge happens to press against a blood vessel and wear it down, couldn’t it cause such heavy bleeding?"

"If we go through with the exploratory surgery, do we start with the pancreatic duct?" Xu Yino continued to ask.

Liu Banxia shook his head, "We can’t dare to do that. We’ll have to see first. Unless there are obvious signs of pancreatic duct lesions, we can only follow protocol."

"This is just our speculation; there’s no evidence from the current examinations. So we’ll start with the small intestine, then the pancreatic duct if necessary."

"Sigh... Keep an eye on them. I’ll go explain to Qiaoqiao. Even if it’s just exploratory surgery, it looks like I won’t be going home for dinner tonight."

Xu Yino nodded and went over to the patient’s side.

Liu Banxia went to the lounge and sent a video to Qiaoqiao.

"Are you not coming back today?"

As soon as the video connected, Qiaoqiao asked directly.

"It’s hard to say right now. There’s a patient with bleeding complications, and their situation is a bit tricky. We might do exploratory surgery soon; you guys can eat first. If the issue is serious, we’ll handle it directly, and I won’t come home tonight," Liu Banxia said.

"Alright, got it. That’s nothing. You go ahead with your work. We’ll just make dumplings early and have dinner early. Hehe, mackerel stuffed dumplings, it’ll make you crave."

After speaking, Qiaoqiao hung up the phone.

Liu Banxia felt a bit helpless; his dear wife was getting more playful.

Outside, he saw Xu Yino waving at him and quickly walked over.

"Doctor, you said the exploratory surgery, is it very risky?" the patient asked.

Liu Banxia nodded, "All surgeries carry risks. For your exploration, we’ll need to make an incision in the small intestine, insert an endoscope to see what’s going on."

"If there’s no issue within the small intestine and it’s the pancreatic duct that’s problematic, then it’ll be very dangerous. Depending on the situation, we might need to do a pancreaticoduodenectomy or a pancreatic duct incision with stone removal and pancreatoenterostomy."

"Both of these are considered major surgeries; you need to be well-prepared and require hospitalization and a relatively long recovery period."

"Also, because the pancreatic duct is a rather special organ, postoperative complications might occur. For safety, we’ll transfer you to the ICU after surgery for more comprehensive care."

"Of course, that’s the worst-case scenario. If there’s a bleeding point within the small intestine, we only need to deal with that particular section, which won’t affect your future normal life."

"So, basically, if it’s not a surgery on the small intestine, it’ll be a surgery on the pancreatic duct, right?" the patient asked.

Liu Banxia nodded, "Even if I didn’t mention it, you know yourself. Today’s bleeding is so severe, if it isn’t treated thoroughly, you wouldn’t dare go home, would you?"

"Sigh... let’s do it then. These two surgeries must cost a lot, right?" the patient sighed.

"Pancreatic duct surgery will be more expensive, mainly because your hospitalization period will be longer and requires higher-level care," Liu Banxia said.

"Sigh... let’s go pay. We have to do it anyway, just don’t spend all the money I give, my dear life," the patient sighed.

Even though the patient complained, everyone’s mood somewhat relaxed.

Agreeing to exploratory surgery is best, and the sooner, the better. Not about affecting getting off work; Liu Banxia isn’t even thinking about getting off work, would others think about it?

It’s truly because the patient’s bleeding volume is too large; who knows if another episode comes along and the blood volume increases, what then?

Everyone started acting, preparing for surgery.

After greeting Qi Wentai, Liu Banxia also directly changed clothes and hurried to the operating room.

Actually, he wanted to discuss with others, to do a consultation. But the patient’s primary symptoms are too evident, even if he consults others, at this stage, it’s still a laparoscopic exploration.

Today’s anesthesiologist is Li Liwei; for Liu Banxia to take on such a big task near the end of work, he has to tap on a pig hoof for sure.

"This surgery’s outcome depends on the patient’s luck," Liu Banxia said.

"I glanced at the records, the bleeding amount is considerable?" Li Liwei asked.

"Exactly, if the bleeding were less, I wouldn’t be this anxious. Right now, I’m most worried about the pancreatic duct bleeding, which aligns with the patient’s current condition," Liu Banxia said.

"Just after clotting, because of the pancreatic juice, the clotted bleeding point dissolves, then it bleeds again. How many blood bags do we have to hang on him? It’s truly too dangerous."

Li Liwei nodded, such patient’s risk is indeed quite high.

At this moment, the patient was also brought in, and Liu Banxia gave him a reassuring look, "Don’t worry, I often perform this kind of surgery."

"As long as you find where the bleeding is, just afraid it’s all in vain," the patient said.

"Rest assured, we must find it," Liu Banxia said earnestly.

If laparoscopy can’t find the bleeding point, then this bleeding is too odd.

Even though Liu Banxia outside wouldn’t make any promises, inside the operating room, to reassure the patient a bit, saying slightly more is fine.

Joining him on the platform were Xu Yino and Su Wenhao, while others ran to the observation room; this exploratory surgery’s significance is also quite large.