Chapter 42 – New Chief of Surgery, Heo Jeong-tae (3)

‘Chief of Surgery Heo Jeong-tae! He certainly has medical knowledge. He even knows that the patient is suffering from tuberculosis by looking at the X-ray! But that is just as far as it goes. Because that is merely at a level of guessing it right.’

Kim Ji-hyuk scowled, furrowing his brow.

However, the limit of the quack doctor ended here.

Heo Jeong-tae’s instruction to inject oil into the pleural space to cause lung collapse!

This statement would only be correct under the premise that the tuberculosis had not been treated yet.

However, the reason the upper left lung of the patient appeared hazy was because the pleural space was already filled with oil.

In other words, it meant the patient was suffering from oleothorax.

‘He wants me to inject oil again into a pleural space that is already full of oil? That proves he doesn’t know that the current lesion was caused by the injected oil!’

This clearly proved that Heo Jeong-tae lacked the ability to read X-rays. Anyone with general common sense as a surgeon would not make such a diagnosis.

Accordingly, Ji-hyuk was convinced that Heo Jeong-tae was a quack.

‘It’s a situation where we shouldn’t inject oil, but drain it as quickly as possible!’

The treatment method of injecting oil into the pleural space to treat tuberculosis is defined in modern medicine as a treatment that causes various side effects and is no longer used.

If one received the treatment of injecting oil into the pleural space, the injected oil should be removed within at least two years, but the patient had not done so.

Because of that, it was certain that the patient had visited the emergency room due to airway obstruction and other complications.

‘Even in this chaotic time, how could such a thing happen in South Korea’s best hospital?’

With a heavy heart, Ji-hyuk showed a bitter smile.

This was the moment when it became almost certain that the Chief of Surgery, Heo Jeong-tae, was a fake doctor.

* * *

Surgery duty room.

“What did the Chief say?”

When Ji-hyuk returned to the duty room after finishing his meeting with Chief Heo Jeong-tae, Yun-seok asked.

“He said she is a tuberculosis patient.”

“See! I told you we suspected him for nothing. He knew immediately that it was tuberculosis.”

“Yeah…”

“So? Did the Chief say he would treat her directly?”

“No.”

“Wh-what? Then does he want us to treat this patient too?”

Yun-seok asked in wonder.

“Yeah. It seems we have to treat her.”

“Nonsense! Isn’t this a bit too much? It’s been almost a month since the Chief came, but how can he not see a single patient? Isn’t he doing this deliberately to roll us over?”

Yun-seok grumbled in a dissatisfied voice.

“Well. That’s not what’s important right now, is it? First, shouldn’t we treat the patient?”

“Yeah. That is true, but… Chief Heo is going too far!”

Yun-seok pouted, expressing his dissatisfaction.

“There’s no need to complain. The Chief can take responsibility in his own way, and we just need to take responsibility for the work we have to do.”

“Hmm, the Chief’s responsibility? What does that mean?”

“It probably means the responsibility for the weight that the position carries. I think the Chief knows that well too.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Yun-seok tilted his head.

“Just, it’s like that. Let’s focus on treating the patient.”

“O-Okay. How should we treat her?”

“First, I’ll start with the briefing! She is a nineteen-year-old female patient…”

The two entered into the treatment in earnest.

“First, I think we must remove the oil accumulated in the pleural space between the visceral pleura and the parietal pleura.”

Ji-hyuk hung the patient’s X-ray and began to explain.

“Hmm… It’s a general treatment method for tuberculosis, isn’t it? Until a few years ago.”

“Yes. It was like that until a few years ago. But the side effects were severe, and it seems lipoid pneumonia has overlapped. That’s why she is accompanied by severe chest pain, and since her bronchial tubes were originally not good, she has reached a state of dyspnea.”

Ji-hyuk focused on the explanation, looking closely at the radiograph.

“Shouldn’t we perform a thoracentesis and draw out the pleural fluid for testing?”

“No. If we do that, it might worsen her condition instead. Looking at the X-ray results, it is definitely oleothorax. The patient should have received anti-mycobacterial antibiotic treatment continuously after the surgery, but she didn’t do so, which worsened her current condition.”

“I confirmed with the guardian, and she said the patient was diagnosed with tuberculosis at Seoul Hospital when she was about six years old and received treatment. At that time, it was before streptomycin was developed, right? So she wouldn’t have received proper antibiotic treatment.”

“Yeah. Streptomycin first came out in 1944, and the time it entered our country was much later, so naturally she wouldn’t have been able to receive proper treatment. Look here! A calcified mass is already visible in the upper left!”

Ji-hyuk pointed at the X-ray with a pointer.

“Yeah! It must have been because of the inflammation in the pleura due to tuberculosis.”

Yun-seok nodded.

‘Oh! Grandfather! You’re really getting good at this now.’

“Right!”

“Then how should we treat her?”

Yun-seok asked with a serious expression.

“According to the echocardiogram results, the left ventricle is slightly hypertrophied, but the valves and systolic function are intact. The oxygen saturation is also in the normal range, so there shouldn’t be a major problem. Once we scrape out all the oil debris accumulated in the pleural space and administer antibiotics, she will improve.”

“Got it! Then let’s do that!”

Ji-hyuk and Yun-seok were now working quite well together.

‘If only we had furosemide, the treatment effect would be much better…’

Ji-hyuk regretted the absence of furosemide (Lasix), which was developed in the late 1960s.

It was at that very moment.

A nurse entered the duty room.

“Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk, there’s a call from the administration department!”

“For me?”

“Yes. A person named Jang Min-gyo is looking for you. Go down to the administration department quickly.”

Jang Min-gyo was a military doctor who graduated from Yonhei, introduced by Brigadier General Park Jung-ui’s adjutant a week ago.

“Yes. Understood!”

A moment later, administration department.

“I am Kim Ji-hyuk!”

-Yes! I am Captain Jang Min-gyo, who received a contact from Major Lee!

“Yes. Nice to meet you, Captain!”

-Yes. You said you have something you are curious about regarding Senior Heo Jeong-tae.

“That is correct. He is our Chief of Surgery.”

-You’re joking, right? Senior Heo Jeong-tae is currently in Cambridge, England, so how could he work as the chief at the National Medical Center? That makes no sense. We were exchanging letters until recently, you know? It seemed Senior Heo Jeong-tae intends to settle down in England.

‘Hmm, his identity is almost revealed now.’

“I see. By any chance, are you two close?”

-Of course we are. We grew up in the same neighborhood and have been close since elementary school.

“Then if you see his face, you will recognize him for sure, right?”

-Naturally. Do you even need to ask? We were complete best friends until he left for England.

“By any chance, do you have any photos?”

-Yes. I have a few photos we took together.

“Then if it’s not a discourtesy, could you send one of those photos by mail?”

-Well, I heard the rough outline of the situation from Major Lee. I heard that quack and fake doctors are rampant lately, is it because of that? Has their hand reached even there?

“It’s not certain yet, so I can’t say anything. Can you send it by mail?”

-I see. I don’t think you need to send it by mail. Because I am currently in Seoul. I received special leave after finishing training and am at home!

“Ah! Is that so? Then could I meet you for a moment?”

-Yes! I will do so. Isn’t there a Hollywood Tearoom near the hospital? Turn the corner at the hospital intersection and it’s quite large?

“Yes, yes. There is. Shall we meet there?”

-Yes. It’s a place I occasionally go to meet acquaintances. Let’s meet there. What time would be good?

“Once I examine a patient, I’ll have some free time. I’ll be free around seven in the evening, is that alright with you?”

-Great! Let’s meet then!

Military doctor Jang Min-gyo readily accepted Kim Ji-hyuk’s proposal.

* * *

That evening, Hollywood Tearoom.

Rattle—

While Kim Ji-hyuk arrived first and was waiting, a man in military uniform opened the door and entered, recognizing him.

“By any chance, are you Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk?”

“Yes. Are you Captain Jang Min-gyo?”

“Yes, that’s right. I am Jang Min-gyo. Nice to meet you!”

Taking off his cap, he offered a handshake.

With a gentle, handsome appearance and a wealthy air, he looked like a gold spoon from a well-off family.

“Yes, nice to meet you. Please sit down.”

The two sat down. An awkward atmosphere flowed for a moment.

“Shall we order tea?”

It was Kim Ji-hyuk who spoke first.

“Yes. The Ssangsang tea here is killer! Madame!”

As Captain Jang Min-gyo gestured, the madame dressed in a beautiful Hanbok ran over immediately.

“Oh my! Doctor Jang! How long has it been?”

She recognized him right away.

“Hahaha, has it been about two years? In the time I haven’t seen you, Madame Jung, you’ve become incredibly beautiful.”

“Beautiful, my foot. I’ve aged rapidly in this chaos. By the way, who is this handsome gentleman?”

The madame pointed at Ji-hyuk with a tilt of her chin.

“Ah! This is Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk, a doctor at the National Medical Center. Get along well in the future!”

“Oh my! Is it allowed for a doctor to be this handsome? How could he look so delicate? He looks a lot like the actress Mi-ryeong in the women’s national opera troupe!”

She stared intently at Kim Ji-hyuk’s face.

“Stop! Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk is not someone you can easily covet, Madame! Don’t waste your efforts and just bring two cups of Ssangsang tea.”

“Hmph! I got it! Doctor, see you later!”

The madame winked at Ji-hyuk.

“Ah! Speaking of which, it occurred to me. Earlier, the madame mentioned the actress Mi-ryeong, right?”

“Ah, yes. But why?”

“The actress Mi-ryeong is truly the best national opera actress in our country! She is really famous.”

‘Hmm, I’ve heard about it roughly. A top national opera actress now would be at the level of an idol in modern times, right? I think I heard she was the origin of sasaeng fans for women’s national opera.’

“Yes, I see.”

“But I know Mi-ryeong a bit, and her heart hasn’t been very good since childhood. I’ll introduce you, so meet her later and examine her. That’ll be fine, right?”

“Yes. If there’s an opportunity, I will do so.”

“Yes, thank you. Ah, and I brought what you requested, Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk. Here!”

Click—

Opening his bag, military doctor Jang Min-gyo took out a photo and handed it over.

“This person is the Heo Jeong-tae I know! Look. He has quite western features, right? He was really popular when we went to school!”

“……!”

The photo that military doctor Jang Min-gyo presented.

The appearance of Heo Jeong-tae in the photo, an elite who graduated from Yonhei University College of Medicine, was a completely different person from the Chief of Surgery, Heo Jeong-tae, at the National Medical Center.

“By any chance, is there another person with the same name in Yonhei’s medical school?”

“No! There isn’t. Heo Jeong-tae is only this senior! The number of medical students is small, so how could I not know? Well, there might be a Heo Jeong-tae among the juniors, but there is none among seniors or peers.”

‘If it’s a junior, he wouldn’t even have graduated from medical school yet… If there is no Heo Jeong-tae among seniors or peers, then in the end, it’s not even a person with the same name!’

Kim Ji-hyuk was clearly convinced that the Chief of Surgery, Heo Jeong-tae, was a fake doctor.