Surgeons Episode 16 Recap
> Surgeons Recap
Zhuang Shu returned home to find Lu Chenxi asleep at the table, with cooked dumplings waiting. He sat down and ate a cold dumpling, noting it was too salty, then looked at the sleeping Lu Chenxi with a faint smile. Driven by his recent rejection from Yang Yu, Chen Shaocong redoubled his efforts to prepare for the associate chief physician position, a change noticed by Yang Yu with a slight smile.
He approached Director Zhong with a barrage of research topics, most of which were quickly dismissed for various reasons, from being already covered by other doctors to lacking clinical relevance or the necessary expertise. Despite the initial frustration, Chen Shaocong persisted, eventually presenting a detailed proposal for an "ER initial consult mobile platform."
He passionately argued that such a platform could significantly improve efficiency by allowing timely triage and consultation, especially for life-threatening emergencies, preventing patients from missing critical treatment windows or unnecessarily occupying limited resources. Director Zhong, initially skeptical, was eventually convinced by Chen Shaocong's thorough research and earnest presentation, finding the idea "a bit reasonable." Meanwhile, Liu Ling, feeling remorseful, went to see Yu Xi.
Yu Xi's grandmother sternly rejected Liu Ling's offer of money, instead urging her to stay away from the child if she truly intended to abandon her. Feeling distraught and guilt-ridden, Liu Ling left but accidentally slipped and fell, leading to placental abruption and massive bleeding. She was rushed into an emergency C-section. Although the surgery was successful, her newborn, who was premature, was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit.
In the ICU, the baby repeatedly vomited milk and even glucose syrup, raising concerns among the doctors. Director Fang recalled Liu Ling's consistent refusal of prenatal screenings like the 3D B-mode ultrasound and Down syndrome screening, and her reluctance to provide any prenatal records, suspecting she might have been hiding something. Zhuang Shu was called to assess the baby's condition. He remembered Liu Ling's earlier refusal to assess the fetus, suspecting congenital esophageal atresia.
He spoke with Liu Ling, explaining the baby's condition and the urgent need for further diagnostic tests. Liu Ling claimed she had no contact information for the baby's father and gave consent for the tests herself. Under Zhuang Shu’s gentle questioning, Liu Ling finally confessed that a 4D B-mode ultrasound two months prior had revealed an esophageal malformation, but she had kept it a secret, fearing the child’s father would demand an abortion.
Zhuang Shu stressed the grave risk of aspiration pneumonia if the condition was not treated immediately. At home, Lu Chenxi was preparing a meal for her housemates, chatting playfully with her parents on the phone and complaining about Zhuang Shu’s salty dumplings from the morning. Zhuang Shu called her, asking her to come to the hospital immediately to consult on a newborn with esophageal atresia, knowing her expertise in the field.
When Lu Chenxi arrived, they reviewed the baby's condition: premature at 1. 87 kilograms, with a blind lower esophagus and a fistula connecting the upper esophagus to the trachea, but normal heart function. Lu Chenxi proposed performing a tracheoesophageal fistula repair first to prevent aspiration pneumonia, as the baby was too small for a full esophageal repair. She was ready to call the operating room, but Zhuang Shu informed her it was Liu Ling's baby.
Lu Chenxi was exasperated by Liu Ling's string of misfortunes but acknowledged it would be more appropriate for Zhuang Shu to communicate with Liu Ling due to their past conflicts. Lu Chenxi explained that after the initial fistula repair and placement of an external feeding tube, they would have to wait until the baby reached 4 kilograms for the second stage of surgery, which would involve anastomosing the upper and lower esophageal segments.
Zhuang Shu cautioned Lu Chenxi that if he handled the discussion with the family, any post-operative complications might be attributed to him, but Lu Chenxi understood. Zhuang Shu then spoke with Liu Ling, explaining that the baby was too small for a complete repair, but the fistula needed immediate attention to prevent life-threatening aspiration pneumonia. Liu Ling, however, was hesitant, expressing concerns about the effects of anesthesia on the baby's intelligence and potential long-term complications.
Zhuang Shu reassured her about the safety of the anesthesia and the high chance of full recovery with timely treatment, emphasizing that the surgery was critical to save the baby’s life. Later, Lu Chenxi, eager for the surgery, asked Zhuang Shu if Liu Ling had signed the consent form. Zhuang Shu revealed that Liu Ling was still undecided and wanted more time to observe. Lu Chenxi was frustrated, arguing that waiting would only worsen the baby's condition.
Zhuang Shu acknowledged that it was a difficult decision for any parent, implying that some families might prefer to end suffering early. Lu Chenxi countered by highlighting her high surgical success rate, but Zhuang Shu reminded her that no one could guarantee zero complications.
When Lu Chenxi angrily brought up Qi Da Wei's past and hinted at his unsuitability as a father for a sick child, Zhuang Shu sternly cut her off, scolding her for gossiping about a patient's private life while wearing a white coat. He reiterated that Liu Ling needed more time. With tears in her eyes, Lu Chenxi expressed her frustration, acknowledging her own "stubbornness" but asserting that doctors have the highest priority and duty to save lives.
She lamented that the child might die without ever seeing the sky, and as an expert in esophageal malformations, she felt it was her right and responsibility to save him. She declared that while she once trusted Professor Fu, she now trusted Zhuang Shu, and asked him if her desire to save the child was wrong.
Zhuang Shu, though appreciative of her trust, maintained that as long as she remained a doctor at the hospital, she had to abide by the rules and await the family’s decision. Lu Chenxi stated that she couldn't bring herself to resign and would wait by the baby's bedside for a decision. Suddenly, Zhu Hongying suffered a massive hemoptysis. Lu Chenxi and Zhuang Shu rushed to her side.
Zhu Hongying, in immense pain, refused surgery, pleading for an end to her suffering. Her daughter, Pei Pei, and Xue Luan arrived. Lu Chenxi and Zhuang Shu explained Zhu Hongying's critical condition; the esophageal tumor had invaded her trachea, forming a fistula, and her heart condition made major surgery like an esophagectomy impossible, as it would lead to heart failure and only prolong her agony.
Pei Pei, distraught, accused them of abandoning her mother and desperately demanded that Lu Chenxi perform the surgery, arguing it was her duty. Lu Chenxi firmly refused, explaining that such a surgery would only add more complications and pain, and it would be a futile attempt driven by Pei Pei’s desire for filial piety rather than genuine medical benefit for Zhu Hongying.
On the rooftop, Lu Chenxi confided in Zhuang Shu about her emotional turmoil: she was trying to convince one mother to save her child, while simultaneously trying to persuade another daughter to let her mother go. Zhuang Shu offered her a cup of hot water and explained that medicine is inherently uncertain; doctors cannot solve every problem or predict every outcome. It is precisely because of this uncertainty that they must try their best.
Lu Chenxi questioned if he thought she was prejudiced for wanting to save Liu Ling's son. Zhuang Shu admitted she might be, but then encouraged her to remain "prejudiced" in that pursuit, reinforcing that the unknown outcomes demand their utmost effort. Later, Liu Ling received a phone call from Qi Da Wei, who informed her that his business was in deep trouble, possibly facing bankruptcy, and that he would have to postpone their marriage plans.
Liu Ling, wanting to maintain his commitment, chose not to tell him about the premature birth, assuring him to focus on his work. Lu Chenxi made a final attempt to convince Liu Ling, emphasizing the increasing risks to the baby. Liu Ling, however, revealed her deepest fears: that Qi Da Wei, whose first son already had leukemia, would reject a sick child, leaving her with nothing. With tears streaming down her face, Liu Ling made the agonizing decision to give up on her baby's treatment.
