A Tale of Two Cities Supporting Xinjiang

In the department, a few young people, including Xiao Wang and Xiao Li, were chatting enthusiastically about Zhou Yi, all about right-sided small incision mitral valve repair. Everyone was talking at once, and every word they said hit the nail on the head, which made Nurbahati's anger rise up.

"This is getting more and more outrageous!"

Nurbahati cursed inwardly, "Does he really think I, the director, am invisible? He doesn't even acknowledge me."

Before Zhou Yi came along, whenever the department wanted to introduce any new technology or develop any new business, he was always the one who took the lead.

The young people all fawned over him, calling him "Director Nu" sweetly and respectfully, handing him notes, pouring him hot water, and being incredibly polite.

No matter what problems they encounter, everyone will come to him for advice as soon as possible.

But ever since Zhou Yi took over this work, the winds of change have shifted faster than turning the pages of a book, and even he, as the director, has become a dispensable figurehead.

Take these two lads, Xiao Wang and Xiao Li, for example. They learned mitral valve repair via a small incision on the right side from Zhou Yi. In just a few days, they were able to complete the simulated surgery with ease.

He had just secretly glanced at them and saw that the two of them were handling the instruments with great steadiness and precision. They separated the valves and sutured and repaired them. Every step of the operation was exactly as Zhou Yi had taught them. Their movements were incredibly swift and skillful. The sheer proficiency they displayed made Nurbahati feel a tightness in his chest.

Nurbahati recalled that when he was learning traditional open-chest surgery, it took him almost half a month just to familiarize himself with the instruments. He practiced simulated surgery again and again, staying up several nights in a row before he finally got the hang of it.

These kids are something else; they've mastered the I Ching in just a few days?

"Teacher Zhou, when I was practicing just now, I felt that the field of vision for small incisions was still a bit narrow. I was always afraid of touching the wrong place when separating calcified tissue. Could you please explain the techniques to me again?"

Xiao Wang approached Zhou Yi, his tone full of eagerness to learn.

Zhou Yi nodded and patiently explained, "It's normal to have a narrow field of vision. The key is to find the right angle and use the endoscope to clarify the surrounding tissues. Move slowly and gently, don't rush."

If you're really unsure, stop and adjust your position first; safety first.

"I understand, I understand!"

Xiao Wang nodded quickly, picked up a pen and wrote it down in his notebook, "Teacher Zhou, you explain things so clearly, I understand it right away."

Xiao Li, who was standing nearby, chimed in, "Teacher Zhou, I feel that the tension of the sutures is difficult to control. If they're too tight, they might damage the valve; if they're too loose, I'm worried about poor healing. Do you have any good solutions?"

"This requires a feel for it. Practice is one aspect, but you also need to pay attention to the shape of the valve when suturing and adjust the pressure according to the actual situation..."

When Nurbahati saw them surrounding Zhou Yi, asking him all sorts of questions and calling him "Teacher Zhou" so affectionately, leaving him, the old director, standing aside, wasn't this a blatant slap in the face?

What bothered him even more was that several young people in the department were progressing too quickly by following Zhou Yi.

It's only been a few days, and he can already perform simulated surgeries independently. At this rate, it won't be long before he's in clinical practice.

That morning, Nurbahati heard from an acquaintance in the hospital office that the hospital had put the purchase of advanced laparoscopic equipment on the agenda and the budget had been approved.

This isn't just about purchasing equipment; it's clearly about vigorously promoting minimally invasive surgery with a small incision on the right side and channeling resources into this area.

Lately, the patients in the department have become increasingly clear about their intentions. They are no longer like before, who would come in and immediately ask where the department head's office was, single-mindedly wanting to see him for treatment or surgery.

Nurbahati was seeing patients in his outpatient clinic when he caught a glimpse of someone in the corridor outside the clinic looking anxious.

"Nurse, could you please ask if Dr. Zhou Yi is available today? We came all the way from the neighboring city specifically to have him perform that small incision surgery on our right side."

The nurse was taken aback by the question and before she could even organize her thoughts in response, her husband quickly added, "We've already found out everything. Everyone says Dr. Zhou is an expert at this small incision surgery; it's minimally invasive, recovery is quick, and you won't suffer much afterward. We trust him completely; we absolutely have to have him perform the surgery!"

These words reached Nurbahati's ears without missing a single one, making him very unhappy.

Turning back, an old patient came for a follow-up visit. As soon as he sat down, Nurbahati, as usual, slowly and methodically inquired about his recent health condition and patiently reminded him of daily precautions, such as taking his medicine on time, avoiding overexertion, and eating a light diet.

Before he could finish speaking, Old Wang nervously rubbed his hands together, a hesitant look on his face. "Director Nu, there's something... there's something I'd like to ask you. Please don't mind."

Nurbahati's heart skipped a beat, but he suppressed his emotions and said in a calm tone, "Just say what you want to say. We're old acquaintances, no need to be so reserved."

Old Wang finally mustered his courage and said in a soft but clear voice, "It's just... I recently heard from other patients that there's a new type of right-side small incision surgery that's much better than the old open-chest surgery. Dr. Nu, I'd like to ask if this kind of surgery is suitable for my condition?"

Upon hearing the words "small incision surgery on the right side," Nurbahati's anger flared up again.

He patiently explained, "Your situation is rather special, and you are not suitable for this kind of surgery at the moment. It would be safer to continue with the previous treatment plan."

I thought that after saying all that, Old Wang would obediently listen as before, but to my surprise, Old Wang looked confused and persistent, and retorted in a low voice: "But...but I heard that it's really good after it's done, the recovery is fast, and you don't suffer much."

Upon hearing this, Nurbahati immediately lost interest in continuing the conversation. He merely glanced coldly at Old Wang before looking down at his medical records and refusing to speak further.

Seeing that he was no longer speaking, she wisely shut her mouth as well, and got up to leave after sitting for a short while.

Watching Old Wang's departing figure, Nurbahati's heart sank to the bottom. Even his long-time patient of several years was beginning to waver, his eyes fixed on Zhou Yi's new techniques. Could he still hold onto his position as director?