Chapter 11 — After I Resigned, The Whole Hospital Was Paralyzed

Because everyone understands. What we are holding. It is the power that can change the fate of countless patients. One month later. The first test is finally here. At the same time, it is also the most difficult challenge. A robotic surgery to remove the body and tail of the pancreas. The goal is complete preservation of the spleen. The patient is a young girl. The tumor is located in the pancreas. But spleen function is still completely normal. According to the traditional method. To remove the tumor. Doctors often have to remove the spleen as well. That means the girl will have to live her whole life in a state of immunodeficiency. But with the Da Vinci robot. We have another chance. A chance to completely remove the tumor. While retaining every small blood vessel that nourishes the spleen. This is the limit of the technique. This is also the final test for the newly established center. The night before surgery. I stood in front of a ceiling-high glass wall. Look at the bright lights of the city in the distance. Behind me. Is the entire core team of the center. There was nervousness clearly visible on everyone's face. Stress. But also full of hope. I turned around. Look at each teammate one by one. The corners of the lips curled slightly. The whole room immediately became quiet. I looked straight at them. The voice was calm but powerful.

"Tomorrow."

"We will make history."

That moment. No one knows what the future will be like. But everyone understands. A new chapter. It has really begun. The day of surgery finally arrived. The operating room lights were bright. I don't stand next to the operating table like before. Which sits at the main control system a few meters away. In front is an extremely high resolution 3D screen. Two hands placed on the sophisticated controller of the Da Vinci robot. Every small movement from my fingertips is accurately transmitted to the mechanical arms on the operating table. Four elongated and flexible robotic arms move rhythmically inside the patient's abdominal cavity. The screen magnifies the image ten times. Each capillary. Every nerve. Each layer of tissue is fragile. They all appear surprisingly clear. This is the world of the Da Vinci robot. A microscopic universe magnified to the extreme. Where a doctor's eyes and hands can reach previously unimaginable limits. Every person in the operating room is performing their duties accurately. Tieu Vuong stood next to the operating table as an assistant. Responsible for changing tools and handling arising situations. The anesthesiologist closely monitors each vital indicator on the screen. Skilled instrument nurses transfer each device accurately to every second. The entire operating room was so quiet that only the sound of machines operating steadily remained. With the sound of the monitor signal ringing in rhythm. We are like a perfect symphony orchestra. Is the commander standing in the center. The focus of this surgery is to separate the pancreatic tumor from the splenic artery and vein. These structures are wrapped around each other like vines clinging tightly to the trunk of an ancient tree. Just a small mistake. Just damage a blood vessel that feeds the spleen. The plan to preserve the spleen will fail completely. I control the robot arm. Hold the tiny microsurgical scissors. Little by little. Peel off the sticky layer. Release blood vessels. It doesn't feel like performing surgery. But it's like dancing engrave a precious work of art. Fine drops of sweat began to appear on my forehead. Time seemed to stop. My world is only the screen in front of me. With the same heartbeat beating in my chest.

"Completed separation of the main trunk of the splenic vein."

I calmly reported.

"The main trunk of the splenic artery has been separated."

"First level branch completed."

"Second level branch..."

"Done."

After each successful step. My mood stabilized a bit. Four hours passed. That dangerous tumor was completely removed from the pancreas. Intact. No damage. More important. The entire vascular system feeding the spleen is still absolutely preserved. The bright red spleen lies quietly in the abdomen. Carrying the strong color of life. There was a moment of silence that lasted a few seconds. Then Tieu Vuong burst out excitedly:

"Success!"

Cheers immediately rang out throughout the operating room. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. We were successful. Not only did he save that young girl. But it also gives her a healthy future. You don't have to live your whole life at risk of immunodeficiency. You don't have to trade quality of life for the chance to survive. More important. We used the same machine that was once associated with a scandal to accomplish the most beautiful rescue. News of the surgery quickly spread throughout the hospital. Director Tan Tranh was the first to run to the operating room. When I walked out. His face still had a tired look after many hours of intense concentration. She doesn't talk much. Just put your hand firmly on my shoulder. Eyes full of pride.

"You did very well."