Chapter 224: Time Is Running Out (Part 1 of 3)

Research Graduate Liang drove the group back to the hospital.

Once they arrived, Zheng Ren, Su Yun and Department Chief Kong headed straight for the ophthalmology department.

Zheng Ren felt confident with a Master-rank skill book still in his reserves.

However, as a general surgeon with no expertise in ophthalmology, he knew that a Master-rank skill book would not set him apart from the doctors in Imperial Capital.

After some thought, he decided it was unlikely that he could solve such a rare case.

They arrived at the ophthalmology department and Department Chief Kong immediately went to visit Lin Jiaojiao.

Outwardly, Lin Jiaojiao looked to be in her thirties, but Zheng Ren presumed that she was most likely in her mid-forties, as was expected of the founder of the nations largest cosmetic surgery hospital.

There was a young adult standing by her bed, eyes clouded over with tears; she was most likely Lin Jiaojiaos daughter.

When they entered the room, Lin Jiaojiaos good eye flickered open. With a sob catching in her throat, she croaked, Chief

Department Chief Kong got down to business. Calm down. What happened?

Chief I had an injection scheduled. So once all my clients were gone, I took a dose of hyaluronic acid. An hour later, my vision started to blur and the next thing I knew, I couldnt see through my right eye. I had my daughter quickly send me to the hospital to see Chief Ma, Lin Jiaojiao explained clearly, her experience in the medical field evident.

Hyaluronic acid? Department Chief Kong repeated.

Hyaluronic acid was a type of mucopolysaccharide. In 1934, an ophthalmology professor in Columbia University extracted the substance from the eye of a cow. The chemical composition of the colorless substance was a.n.a.lyzed and further studies revealed its involvement in joint lubrication, blood vessel permeability control, protein-binding, electrolyte balance, wound healing and more.

In the world of cosmetic surgery, hyaluronic acid was mainly used for hydration and the removal of wrinkles.

It had been touted as the best natural substance for water retention under the skin.

How had this substance caused blindness?

Department Chief Kong had a hand on his temple as he pondered the situation.

Old Kong, youre finally here. A woman in her fifties, clad in a doctors coat, walked over. My ophthalmoscopy found a lack of blood in her retina. I suspect an obstruction in the ophthalmic artery.

It was the ophthalmology department chief, Dr. Ma. As she concluded her statement, the scent of alcohol reached her nose and she frowned. Were you drinking?

Yes, I was having dinner with Chief Chu.

What was the point of calling you here, then? Ill get Old Pan from Union Medical to a.s.sist with the surgery, Department Chief Ma said.

No, Chief Pans not around. We have Little Zheng here whos willing to a.s.sist, Department Chief Kong objected.

Dr. Pan was the interventional surgery department chief in Union Medical College Hospital and a member of the National Central Health Agency. He was out of the city, being recently involved in the Tibetan Aid Project.

Department Chief Ma was unaware of the circ.u.mstances, hence Department Chief Kongs explanation.

Little Zheng? Is he your new research graduate? Department Chief Ma eyed them suspiciously.

Department Chief Kong started introductions. This here is Boss Zheng from Sea City, L Province. Hes skilled in interventional surgery and is here for the new research project were working on.

Department Chief Ma was surprised but retained the aloofness of a department chief from a top Cla.s.s Three Grade A hospital. She did not try to shake Zheng Rens hand.

Ive contacted Chief Meng and he agreed with my a.s.sessment. Imaging is needed to make a full diagnosis. We didnt know you would be out drinking, though.

The department chiefs often spoke freely among themselves, hence Department Chief Mas clear displeasure.

Sure. Lets get started, then. Boss Zheng will handle it. Department Chief Kong dialed for his chief resident.

During the whole exchange, Zheng Ren had said nothing. He only stared at the System display in the right corner of his vision.

Lin Jiaojiaos diagnosis was simple. There was an obstruction in the vascular system due to the aforementioned biomacromolecule injection. The plug had led to decreased blood supply to the eye and resulted in temporary blindness.

There were a few peripheral arteries but the majority of the eyes blood supply was delivered by the main branch.

They had to clear the obstruction within four hours to salvage the retina. Otherwise, it would suffer permanent damage and result in permanent blindness in Lin Jiaojiaos right eye.

The surgery The arterial network in the eye was delicate and Zheng Ren could not guarantee success in removing the biomacromolecule obstruction in the artery.

He was an expert in embolization surgery. This was the complete opposite of that.

However, he was willing to try. After all, it was just another procedure.

Su Yun noticed Zheng Rens silence and shuffled over. What are you thinking?

A buildup of biomacromolecules in the ophthalmic artery is causing temporary blindness, Zheng Ren whispered. Department Chief Mas preliminary diagnosis is correct. Well have to confirm with imaging but Im hesitant about the subsequent thrombolysis.

Thrombolysis? Based on your diagnosis, its a biomacromolecular obstruction in either the capillaries or arterioles, not a blood clot, Su Yun retorted.

Zheng Ren laid his cards on the table. Two hours have pa.s.sed since the obstruction. I suspect a blood clot would have formed by now. The surgery should start with lysis, followed by suction removal. Itll be up to fate whether or not her vision can be restored.

Su Yun shook his head; he had low expectations that the surgery would restore Lin Jiaojiaos vision.

Biomacromolecules? Department Chief Ma had overheard Zheng Rens words.

Yes. Im guessing there was an error in judgment when she injected hyaluronic acid. The substance must have entered the blood capillaries or arterioles, restricting blood supply to her eye, Zheng Ren said.

His explanation turned Lin Jiaojiaos face green.

A blood clot detected early could be easily resolved. Obstruction by foreign material was much more complicated.

Was she going to be permanently blind in one eye?

Darkness filled her vision as if her sight was disappearing completely.

Is the diagnosis solid? Department Chief Kong asked.

Well need to confirm it with an angiogram. Zheng Ren asked, Does the operating room have urokinase?

Yes.

We should start now. Its been two hours since the obstruction. Time is running out, Zheng Ren said firmly.

Department Chief Ma was taken aback by the resolution in his voice, especially from a Sea City junior doctor here on a research visit.

Despite her reservations, she allowed the junior doctor to go about pre-surgery preparations. The patient was transferred to the interventional radiology suite.

The chief resident on call tonight was Dr. Shen. After digesting the patients condition, Dr. Shen laid down the sterile drapes and prepared for the procedure.

Zheng Ren held back from accessing the System to pick up the related training modules. He wanted to have a look at the angiogram first.

The procedure started ten minutes later.