Surgery Godfather
Chapter 510 - 466: Similar Cases

Chapter 510: Chapter 466: Similar Cases

Tokyo University Hospital Department of Surgery’s main meeting room.

Surrounding the rectangular conference table, specialists are discussing cases. Present are not only professors from Tokyo University Hospital but also professors from Juntendo University Hospital. It can be said that it is a gathering of Japan’s top surgical professors.

Among them are several professors who are revered figures in Japan, such as Professor Ito, a consultant professor of orthopedics and neurosurgery at Juntendo University Hospital. The current directors of orthopedics and neurosurgery are his students.

He has always advocated that neurosurgeons should be proficient in both cranial A and the spine. After familiarity with the cranial A and the spine, they can then sub-specialize.

In Japan, where the academic hierarchy is prevalent, these professors hold absolute say. They’ve retired from front-line work. The case discussions they are invited to attend are usually for members of the royal family, business magnates, or political figures.

Their wealth of experience can form an important basis for decisions. More importantly, their prominent status can be a solid backing for the chief surgeons.

Juntendo Hospital’s status in Japan is equivalent to that of Xiehe Hospital in China.

In Japan, in terms of medical science, Juntendo University ranks higher than Tokyo University’s School of Medicine, and Juntendo Hospital ranks higher than Tokyo University Hospital. It’s fair to say, without exaggeration, that Juntendo is the "father" of Tokyo University’s School of Medicine.

The case under discussion is none other than that of the head of the Fujiwara family, Fujiwara Tani, the current president of the Fujiwara conglomerate, and the uncle of Fujiwara Masao.

Since the discovery of his tumor during a medical check-up, the Fujiwara conglomerate has donated three billion US dollars to Tokyo University specifically for researching his case.

"The surgical risk for Mr. Fujiwara is too high. At present, even under the most advanced navigation equipment, there is no success rate, less than five percent."

"Yes, we’ve conducted a large number of animal experiments, but the surgical success rate still fails to exceed five percent."

"Should we consider involving Europeans and Americans in the treatment?"

"No, the success rate on American soil is no higher than ours. I am very familiar with John Ansen from Mayo; their surgical procedures might lag behind ours in terms of details."

"Mr. Fujiwara’s medical condition is confidential, and unless necessary, we should avoid inviting others to participate."

"I agree, for such tumors, personally, I think we’re already at the forefront."

"All of you, have you ever thought about it? Without surgery, Mr. Fujiwara Tani has no chance! Professor Fujiwara Masao, what is your opinion? You are both a core member of the patient’s treatment team and a family member." Professor Ito’s hair is grey, but he’s spirited and straight-backed, his voice booming.

Fujiwara Masao is listening and taking notes. Although he has a secretary dedicated to taking notes, he still makes some necessary records himself.

"According to what my student, Takahashi Fumiya, reported after his study tour in China, Dr. Yang Ping has had a successful case." Fujiwara Masao feels that some fresh elements should be injected into the discussion.

"An individual case means nothing, what was distinctive about his surgical procedure?" The Department Director of Neurosurgery at Tokyo University’s Hospital, Professor Komori Daisuke, questioned.

"He has done a lot of in-depth research on the upper cervical cord and brainstem, and particularly an anatomical and functional study on the nerve nucleus group. Based on this, he has designed a unique surgical approach. In his case, the patient’s heartbeat stopped several times during surgery, and after resuscitation, the operation continued. The most incredible thing is that he performed surgery while the heart was stopping." Fujiwara Masao can only describe it based on Takahashi’s report.

"That’s crazy! Surgery can be performed after the heart stops because it is supported by extracorporeal circulation. However, once the brain’s vital center stops working, is there anything that can substitute for it? And who can guarantee that it can be revived?" Professor Komori finds it hard to believe, his tone appears dismissive.

"Are you sure Takahashi witnessed it himself? Based on your description, the credibility of his case appears very low. If we use it as a reference, we might go down the wrong path." The Head of Neurosurgery at Juntendo Hospital also finds it hard to believe.

"We also have a five-percent success rate. It’s not surprising to have individual success cases, and luck is often a major factor. Besides, if he had a mature surgical plan, why didn’t he publish a paper?" Deputy Director of Orthopedics at Juntendo Hospital responded.

The Director of Juntendo Hospital was attending a meeting elsewhere, so the deputy director was attending the meeting on his behalf.

"It takes time for a paper to be submitted and published, which can’t be a reason to negate it. Everything should be based on evidence rather than emotions. Without evidence proving its low credibility, we can’t just dismiss this information for now." A white-haired professor replied in a calm voice.

He is Fujiwara Masao’s teacher, a consultant professor in orthopedics at Tokyo University Hospital, Professor Ikeda.

"Gentlemen, any matters that go beyond common sense, we must handle with caution. Do not easily believe, nor quickly determine them to be unreliable. Such a path might cause us to miss some valuable information. Some sneer at this, but I think such an attitude is extremely dangerous. Being blindly arrogant is a precursor to falling behind!" Professor Ikeda reminded everyone in a stern tone.

Professor Ito immediately asserted, "I completely agree with Professor Ikeda’s view. You are only one step away from being left behind!"

Upon the reminder from the senior professor, everyone turned red-faced, no longer daring to make light of the situation.

"Please, continue--" Professor Ito prompted Fujiwara Masao to go on.

"I had Takahashi mimic his surgical methods on a lab monkey, but regrettably, I was unable to replicate the effects of his surgery. I had the good fortune to cross paths with this doctor. He had once successfully completed an operation on a large and complex abdominal vascular tumor, a case where I had previously failed. But he succeeded. Therefore, I sent Takahashi to China to learn from him. After Takahashi returned and reported back to me, the doctor’s surgical skills seemed supernatural. Takahashi was previously arrogant, but after returning from China, he became modest and cautious. Therefore, I think that this doctor is by no means ordinary. But, he is an orthopedic doctor. As far as I know, in China, upper cervical spinal cord tumors are within the scope of orthopedics, while brainstem tumors are within the purview of neurosurgery. It is hard to understand why he can perform cross-discipline surgery, especially the most dangerous types. In China, this is practically impossible." Fujiwara Masao neither rashly denied nor wholly accepted but raised doubt.

"For now, let’s set this matter aside, but we must not overlook it!" Professor Ito felt that further discussion on this matter was meaningless and would prove difficult to clarify.

"I heard that your inpatient department accepted a case very similar to Mr. Fujiwara’s?" Professor Ito inquired.

"Yes, our neurosurgery ICU is currently treating a patient whose condition is strikingly similar to Mr. Fujiwara’s. I think we can perform surgery on this patient, accumulate experience from it, and then apply the experience to Mr. Fujiwara’s surgery. The surgery success rate will definitely increase considerably." Professor Komori suggested.

The professors were momentarily taken aback, then Professor Ito stated, "This is a golden opportunity. The success rate of surgery requires a volume of cases. The animal experiments on monkey species are very similar to humans, but there are still differences. The tumor model is even more different. If there are similar patients available, regardless of whether their surgery is successful or not, it would certainly be a golden opportunity for President Fujiwara and must be cherished.".

"Should we—" someone began to object.

"The progress of medicine always has its sacrifices. This is not surprising and doesn’t contradict ethics." Professor Ikeda sternly stated.

"There is no ethical rule governing the order of our surgery." Professor Ito stood with Professor Ikeda.

Fujiwara Masao breathed a sigh of relief because, as a member of the patient’s family, he couldn’t suggest using this patient as a case study to accumulate experience for his uncle’s surgery.

Now that Professor Komori had proposed it and recieved agreeance from Professors Ito and Ikeda, Fujiwara Masao was, of course, delighted. His greatest concern was the two professors decisively rejecting.

"However—the patient’s family has informed us to initially keep treatment conservative. They wish to invite a doctor to perform the surgery. The doctor’s details will be submitted to our hospital soon." Professor Komori revealed this disappointing news.

Professor Ito’s voice seethed with anger: "Is there progession beyond us in the field of neurosurgery and orthopedics? Even John Ansen from the Mayo wouldn’t dare say he exceeds us in surgical methods. Who are they going to invite? We have invited top professors from the United States and Europe to perform surgeries for the purpose of academic exchange and learning. Besides them, do we need to invite someone else? We can reject their request. For such cases, Juntendo University and Tokyo University are both top-tier institutions. There is no better choice. You should make it clear to them that they have the most dangerous tumor in the world- it’s dangerous because of its growth position and not for our technology. There are only a handful in the world that can perform surgery on him, and we are one of them."

"I have already patiently explained, but they are very adamant. The patient cannot be transferred. If a surgical operation is to be conducted, it can only be done here. But if they request an external physician to be the chief surgeon, as long as the doctor’s qualifications meet the requirements, it seems that we can’t refuse based on either law or ethics!" Professor Komori expressed regretfully.

Professor Ito became even angrier: "This is ridiculous. They are showing contempt for us. How can there be patients that do not trust us?"

"They may not be familiar with the medical field. Continue communication with them and make sure that we are the ones to perform the surgery. As for inviting a doctor in to perform the surgery, I can’t think of who they’d invite. It could only John Ansen—this neurosurgeon from the Mayo is not better than us." Professor Ikeda agreed completely with Professor Ito.

"Understood, I will do everything in my power." Professor Komori promised.

Fujiwara Masao also stated, "I will join Komori in changing the mind of the patient’s family."

"The founder of our first generation main hall, Mr. Sato Taisen, founded Juntendo University. And the founder of our third generation main hall, Mr. Sato Naonaka, founded the Department of Medicine at Tokyo University. At the time of its official establishment, 20 out of the 22 professors of Tokyo University’s Department of Medicine came from Juntendo. Juntendo and Tokyo University Hospital are Japan’s best hospitals. Now, with President Fujiwara lying in our ward, we appear helpless. This gives me unbearable pain. Therefore, everyone must reach out to the furthest extent, unite, and strive for the highest success rate for the surgery. When it comes to microscope-assisted surgeries, I am too old for them now. So, I have to leave it to the two of you, Fujiwara Masao and Komoi Daiichi!"

Professor Ito stood up and bowed, at which Fujiwara Masao and Professor Komori immediately stood up and returned the bow.

"Can you take me to see President Fujiwara again?" Professor Ito requested.

The meeting was temporarily adjourned. Fujiwara Masao and Komori Daisuke led Professor Ito and the others once again to visit Fujiwara Tani in the special ICU ward.