The next day.
AM.
In the operating room.
The craniotomy for a female internet celebrity is about to commence, with anesthesia being jointly administered by Wen Shen and Zhao Heng.
Usually, the head surgeon enters the operating room only after anesthesia has been administered, but today, head surgeon Liu Ziang arrives early, curious about Zhao Heng.
Liu Ziang wants to see to what extent Zhao Heng’s "perioperative brain function and consciousness recovery" technique has advanced.
If Zhao Heng’s technique meets Liu Ziang’s expectations, several of Liu Ziang’s patients could undergo surgery.
Ultimately, surgery is a comprehensive task requiring collaboration, with the head surgeon completing the main part of the operation.
Now, Wen Shen has completed the standard anesthesia, leaving the rest to Zhao Heng.
Whether the patient awakens post-surgery or regains consciousness depends on Zhao Heng’s intraoperative performance.
"Xiao Zhao, it’s your turn now."
Wen Shen solemnly tells Zhao Heng.
Zhao Heng’s technique, taught by Old Huang, is highly advanced. Without some luck, Zhao Heng’s talent might not suffice to master such a complex technique within three to five years of learning and practice, even with daily lessons alongside Old Huang.
"Hmm."
Zhao Heng nods, glancing at the patient lying in bed, whose scalp is covered with electrodes connected to an EEG machine, which monitors her brain’s electrical activity in real-time.
"Are the neuro-nutritional drugs ready?"
Zhao Heng turns to the surgical nurse Xu Man Ni, assisting with the operation.
Although Xu Man Ni is an equipment nurse, she rarely collaborates with Zhao Heng in surgery.
The primary reason is Zhao Heng’s anesthesia work, which various departments consistently "book."
Every surgical doctor at Eastern Hospital wants Zhao Heng to provide anesthesia, leaving his schedule booked for the next three days.
This isn’t surprising, given Zhao Heng’s reliable skills, excellent communication capabilities, and the experience gained from Old Huang and Gao Jun, enabling him to handle difficult situations during anesthesia.
Moreover, every surgical collaboration allows Zhao Heng to acquire some skills from the surgeons, skills directly related to surgery.
Integrated with these skills, Zhao Heng becomes more adept at surgery, understanding the head surgeon’s approach and habits, resulting in seamless teamwork.
In Eastern Hospital, Zhao Heng is the indisputable "golden assistant" in the minds of all surgical doctors!
"Hmm."
Xu Man Ni nods.
For Xu Man Ni, cooperating with Zhao Heng now feels entirely different from before.
"Adjust cytidine diphosphate choline and piracetam to half the normal value, and increase ganglioside and seractin to 1.5 times the normal value."
Zhao Heng continuously issues instructions.
Xu Man Ni adjusts the neuro-nutritional drug dosages accordingly.
Throughout, Zhao Heng monitors the EEG waveform on the screen.
"Xiao Zhao, what are you looking for?"
Wen Shen asks, puzzled by Zhao Heng’s focus on the EEG waveform.
The brain is mysterious and complex; Wen Shen, as a doctor, understands the basics, but lacks advanced experience.
"Dr. Zhao is likely searching for a unique EEG pattern where the brain enters a special pre-activation state, am I right?"
Standing nearby, Liu Ziang reveals some insight, knowledgeable in brain surgery and familiar with EEG patterns.
Liu Ziang has heard of this pre-activation state.
"Yes, this state minimizes damage from anesthesia and surgery to the brain."
Zhao Heng nods, explaining.
"So, these neuro-nutritional drugs guide the brain to this special state?"
Liu Ziang asks again.
"Yes, the patient’s current EEG shows δ waves with a 1Hz frequency and 40μV amplitude, making post-surgery awakening challenging.
Thus, adjusting δ waves to 3Hz and an amplitude over 100μV ensures normal awakening post-surgery."
Zhao Heng briefly explains his actions.
Although common abroad, applying drug-induced EEG frequency and amplitude adjustments to surgical patients is rare in Chinese clinical practice.
Even if some institutions research this technique, it is usually on healthy individuals, complicating its use in surgery.
Everyone in the operating room feels a sense of awe hearing Zhao Heng’s explanation.
"When I studied abroad, I heard Merlin Clinic was researching such projects; now I witness it firsthand."
Liu Ziang nods, expressing his amazement.
After a while, noticing desired changes in the EEG waveform, Zhao Heng tells Liu Ziang, "Senior, you can start the surgery."
"Surgical adjustments are still needed; now it’s pre-activation, post-surgery will require transitioning to α waves for full awakening."
Liu Ziang nods, questioning Zhao Heng further.
"Yes."
Zhao Heng confidently answers.
"This challenge is truly extraordinary.."
Liu Ziang comments.
Here, it’s essential to introduce EEG band classifications.
EEG is divided into four bands: δ (Delta) waves occur in infants, in immature mental development, and under extreme fatigue, sleep, or anesthesia;
θ (Theta) waves are notable in adults facing setbacks, depression, or mental illness;
α (Alpha) waves in healthy individuals are prominent at rest with eyes closed;
The final band is β (Beta) waves, with the highest frequency, emerging during stress and emotional stimulation.
Zhao Heng’s task is to adjust the patient’s δ waves to α waves post-surgery, passing through θ waves, illustrating the immense difficulty.
Wen Shen nods, familiar with adjusting patients’ breath, heart rate, blood pressure, and various indicators during anesthesia.
But adjusting EEG?
He’s never witnessed it firsthand.