Chapter 199 - 0188 Birthday Party

Sisi’s X-ray, CT, MRI, PET-CT scans are all displayed on a spacious electronic reading screen.

The previous operation at a different hospital had removed about twenty cm from the middle of the femur and, in order to regain lower limb function as soon as possible, a customized titanium alloy prosthesis was used to bridge the femur and compensate for this twenty cm gap; the prosthesis was inserted into the medullary cavity at both ends, and fixed with bone cement.

This was a palliative approach intended solely to ensure that she could have a functional lower limb within a limited time, thereby aiding in her care. Her osteosarcoma had already metastasized to several locations in her body, and other treatments, such as fibula grafts, allografts, or bone lengthening techniques from Ilizarov, were not suitable due to the lengthy recovery period, unsuitable for a late-stage tumor patient.

“Could we replace it with a full femur prosthesis using 3D printing technology?”

Song Zimo suggested, the Orthopedics laboratory’s 3D printer was already operational; this machine was of industrial grade, equivalent to a 3D printing lathe.

Yang Ping shook his head: “The femur, as an organ, is not so easily replaced. It has many muscles attached to it, and also has joint capsules and ligaments attached at both ends. These tendinous soft tissues are firmly attached via the tendon-bone healing mechanism; the joint capsules and ligaments maintain the static stability of the hip and knee joints, and the muscles not only maintain dynamic joint stability but also provide the power for movement. In order to replace the entire femur, we need to address the problem of soft tissue attachment; otherwise, this femur will only function as a support, lacking the ability for movement, and can only provide minimal support. Soft tissue in the human body can heal with bone but not with artificial materials. If we can solve this problem, it would likely be a breakthrough in orthopedic technology. We can’t employ this method yet, but we can research it for a future project.”

“Amputation?”

Little Five’s opinion was that if a replacement was not possible, then amputation was the only option.

This was a feasible plan; the tumor and invaded femur could be surgically removed, but after the removal, only a tiny bit of the femur would be left at both ends. The right lower limb would lose its function due to the absence of the femur, and it would be impossible to make effective use of a customized prosthesis.

“The cancer has already spread throughout the body, so amputation wouldn’t be meaningful. By preserving the limb, at least psychologically, she’ll feel much better.”

Zhang Lin also gave her opinion, everyone was very proactive and knew that even if they made a mistake, Yang Ping wouldn’t criticize them.

“What do you think, senior brother?” Song Zimo asked Yang Ping’s opinion as Yang Ping kept flipping the scans without expressing his ideas.

“We remove the prosthesis originally bridging the femur, cut off the tumor along with the affected femur, then use Ilizarov’s technique to extend the bone, giving her a normal femur,” Yang Ping said after pondering for quite a while.

Song Zimo thought this method was too idealistic and impractical: “She’s in the terminal stages of osteosarcoma, do you plan to cure her completely? That’s impossible.”

Song Zimo did not articulate the brutal subtext: her life expectancy might be shorter than the time this procedure would take to complete. With a millimeter of progress per day, even for twenty centimeters, it would still take over two hundred days. Could she hang on that long?

“I know a cure is impossible, but I want to try and give her the best life possible, take it day by day.” Yang Ping was very insistent, he wanted to try and fight for her, even if it seemed impossible, like Don Quixote.

Everyone was silent; Yang Ping continued to flip through the scans: “I know that her situation should have been abandoned according to medical practice, but I want to strive for the best. Even if we only make one step of progress, it’s worth it!”

Song Zimo placed his hand on his shoulder: “I disagree with your point of view, but I support you.”

“I support you too!” Zhang Lin and Little Five also cast encouraging glances his way.

Yang Ping took his hand away from the mouse, “Using the operating room’s infrared navigation device, we can create a three-dimensional reconstruction of the tumor using infrared scanning, use indocyanine green for imaging, and then combine the three-dimensional reconstruction of the CT and MRI images to obtain a complete tumor image. We’ll upload it into the operating system’s main computer, and then we can perform the surgery using infrared navigation.”

“The reconstructions are all completed by the software of their respective machines, and can’t be combined into one image.” Little Five was more familiar with the medical equipment.

Yang Ping told Little Five, “We design our own software to do the integrated reconstruction. Little Five, don’t you have a special talent in this area? You can find a few students from Nandu University of Technology to collaborate on this.”

“This is a huge project!” Little Five had assisted a professor with projects like this while at school.

“If it wasn’t big it wouldn’t be considered a ‘project’. The moon landing was difficult, too, but it was accomplished. Song Zimo, you lead them to start a project, instead of applying for other projects, apply for the Overseas Chinese funds from the hospital. That way it’s faster,” Yang Ping encouraged everyone.

Hearing Yang Ping make his decision, everyone felt very encouraged, eager to give it a try. It was clear that the major operation their senior brother planned was going to result in some significant research results and high-quality papers, which would benefit everyone when they apply for professional titles in the future.

The soul of a team is very important; it must have the correct direction and firm determination, like a flag standing tall. Only then can everyone gather under the banner and persist towards their target. Yang Ping had achieved this for the team.

—

“This Saturday is my birthday and I’m hosting a party at my house in the evening. Please come if you have time. Our circle will all be there, including Shao Wei and Old Zhou will all be there. I can also introduce you to some friends.”

Immediately following the discussion of Sisi’s condition, Su Nanchen didn’t send a WeChat message, but called to invite him. As friends, he had to attend, but he couldn’t possibly go empty-handed. He needed to bring a gift.

Yang Ping was stuck; he was absolutely not adept when it came to gifts. He called over Song Zimo, Little Five, and Zhang Lin to discuss this.

As the exchange of ideas went by, no solid conclusion was drawn. The gentlemen hadn’t a clue about gift-giving; they suggested premium pens, surgical goggles, the latest English orthopedics books – in short, all sorts of ideas.

In the end, they decided to go ask Xiao Su. Surely as a girl, she’d be more in the know about this stuff. Yang Ping went to find Xiao Su to consult her: “What kind of gift do you think I should bring? I can’t just give a red packet, that would be too vulgar.”

Xiao Su, always full of ideas, thought for a moment and said, “I have an idea. You are all surgery enthusiasts. You could take the multi-ligament reconstruction surgery for the knee and shoulder joints, have Little Five and the others make animated demonstrations of it, explaining all the key steps and surgical secrets, and combine it with videos from your usual surgeries, then burn it into a set of CDs as a gift for him. He would be very happy, there’s nothing more important to a surgery enthusiast than gaining valuable surgical experience. I can help you find someone to make a nice external package for your CDs. This will surely please your friend.”

“That’s great! This is a good idea, it seems that I am only good at thinking while conducting surgeries, I’m clueless about mundane affairs. Xiao Su’s idea is good, this gift is unique and also very valuable. It’s decided then.” Yang Ping made his decision on the spot.

He then got Song Zimo, Little Five and Zhang Lin on board, asking them to help make the animation and burn it onto a disc. Song Zimo, who had operated on him so many times, was well versed in the mysteries of such surgeries. Little Five was proficient at making animations, and Zhang Lin was in charge of the textual commentary. The matter was finalized just like that.

“A meal, you guys choose the place. But it must be done before Friday night.” Yang Ping put forward his conditions.

“We can choose anywhere? Really?” Little Five gave a mischievous smile.

Yang Ping hesitated for a moment: “We’re all brothers, we will meet frequently, don’t go too heavy-handed.”

“We only have a few days, I’m afraid we won’t make it in time, right?” Song Zimo shook his head, looking rather troubled.

“Right, time is tight, let’s just do a PPT. Making animation takes too much time.”

“It takes some time to think of textual explanation that conveys the message.”

Yang Ping looked at these guys, who were all in cahoots, each shaking their heads, with an “Oh man, this is tough!” look on their faces.

“Alright, choose the place and decide how extravagant the meal is, I don’t mind.” Yang Ping understood their game.

“Hmm, although time is a little tight, if we all work extra hours, it shouldn’t be a problem.” Song Zimo immediately changed his tune.

Zhang Lin and Little Five also chimed in: “We’re all brothers, let’s work some overtime to ensure we get it done before Friday night.”

A bunch of foodies! Yang Ping instructed: “Call Brother Fat, too.”

Zhang Lin was freaked out: “Why should we call him? Are you really going all out? He can’t contribute to the work, but when it comes to eating he can eat for several! He’ll double your bill!”

“I’m going all out. Let him help choose the place and order the dishes. None of you are as professional as him in this.” Yang Ping explained.

Everyone fell silent, it was the truth. When it comes to eating, Brother Fat definitely outdoes everyone else, after all, he was once the president of the food association.

“Bring your girlfriend too!” Su Nanchen sent a message via WeChat.

What should he do about this? Take Xiao Su with him? He had to go find Xiao Su again. Yang Ping went upstairs, rang the doorbell of the operating room, and Xiao Su came out.

The door to the operation room opened, Yang Ping didn’t enter. He stood at the door and showed Su Nanchen’s message to her: “He asked me to bring my girlfriend along? How should I reply to him? Do you have time to go with me?” Yang Ping’s face turned a little red.

Xiao Su chuckled, then looked rather troubled: “I’m sorry, I have to go home on Saturday night, and coincidentally, a family member has a birthday. I can’t accompany you.”

“What a coincidence!” Yang Ping was a little disappointed.

“Or would you like me to tell my family and go with you?” Xiao Su lowered her head and pursed her lips.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll go alone. You should be with your family, it’s important. There’s no need for you to accompany me to this, I’ll explain to him.” Yang Ping explained.

“There’s no need to explain. The more you explain, the more confusing it will become. ”

The phone was in Xiao Su’s hand, she was fingering it: “Hmph! I will reply for you, just tell him you don’t have a girlfriend. Let’s see what he means, is he testing you to introduce a girlfriend to you?”

“No way, are you upset?” Yang Ping heard Xiao Su humph.

Xiao Su pouted: “I’m not upset. Someone is helping you find a girlfriend so actively, I should be happy. It shows that I have good taste. Maybe he has a sister or something to introduce to you. You’re destined to be with the ‘Su’ family.”

“Don’t overthink it, he just casually mentioned it.” Yang Ping replied.

“What if he introduces a girlfriend to you, you won’t develop feelings for her, right?” Xiao Su’s long eyelashes fluttered.

Yang Ping shook his head: “I want to have feelings for her, but I can’t.”

“You–”

“Because my heart is already filled with someone else.”

Xiao Su turned her anger into laughter and stretched out a finger to lightly tap Yang Ping’s forehead: “That’s more like it.”