130: Chapter 130 Another Plan? Twenty Thousand Becomes Six Hundred!

Half an hour later.

The color ultrasound results came back.

Lu Chen took the report and read through it carefully.

The report was perfectly consistent with the system's diagnosis.

The main trunk of the Great Saphenous Vein was dilated and tortuous throughout, with the widest diameter reaching 11 mm. The Valsalva Maneuver showed significant reflux in both the Great Saphenous Vein valves and the Saphenofemoral Junction valves, with reflux lasting over 4 seconds.

The deep veins were patent, with no signs of thrombosis.

There were two points of insufficiency in the Perforating Veins.

A typical case of severe varicose veins in the Great Saphenous Vein.

Lu Chen placed the report on the desk and called the family of three over.

"The color ultrasound results are out. They match my physical examination findings from earlier. It's varicose veins of the Great Saphenous Vein, the most severe kind, and it requires surgery."

The girl tightly gripped her mother's hand.

"Doctor... how much will the surgery cost?"

Lu Chen thought for a moment.

"There are two mainstream options right now: Endovenous Laser Treatment and Radiofrequency Ablation. Both are minimally invasive, effective, and have quick recovery times, but as for the cost..."

He took a glance at the family's attire.

"It will probably cost around eighteen to twenty thousand."

The moment that figure was mentioned, the Middle-aged woman's face turned pale instantly.

"Twen... Twenty thousand?"

The girl's body also stiffened.

The Middle-aged man lowered his head, not saying a word.

Silence lasted for about ten seconds.

The Middle-aged woman's voice began to tremble.

"Doctor, can it... can it be a bit cheaper?"

"The surgical fees are set by the Hospital; I don't have the authority to adjust them."

The Middle-aged woman's tears began to fall again.

"Then what should we do? This year's harvest was poor, and The girl's father has bad legs so he can't do heavy labor. It's just me and The girl doing odd jobs in town, making only about two thousand a month..."

The girl bit her lip, forcing herself not to cry out loud.

The Middle-aged man finally spoke, his voice deep.

"Maybe... let's not treat it for now. Let's go home."

"Dad!"

"Spending so much money, is it even worth it..."

"Your leg is literally rotting and you're still asking if it's worth it!"

"Let it rot then. It's not like it's cancer; it won't kill me."

"If you don't treat it, it'll only get worse! The doctor just said it will get infected!"

The Middle-aged man fell silent.

Lu Chen stood by, not interrupting.

He was thinking about something.

The ultrasound report clearly stated that the patient's valvular insufficiency in the Great Saphenous Vein was mainly concentrated below the knee.

Although there was reflux at the Saphenofemoral Junction, the most severe dilation of the main trunk was in the section from below the knee to the ankle.

In this situation.

It wasn't strictly necessary to use laser or radiofrequency.

Lu Chen opened the patient's medical record and re-examined the details of the ultrasound report.

Then he spoke.

"Uncle, don't be in such a hurry to leave. Let me tell you about another plan."

The family of three looked at him simultaneously.

"There's a traditional surgical method called High Ligation and Segmental Stripping of the Great Saphenous Vein. It involves making a few small incisions on the leg to directly ligate and strip away the damaged blood vessels."

"How should I put it... compared to laser and radiofrequency, it's certainly not a new technology anymore. Many Hospitals don't really do it much these now."

The girl asked urgently,

"Then what about the results? Is the effect the same?"

"Based on your father's specific condition, the effect is the same. His valvular insufficiency is primarily below the knee, the deep veins are patent, and the issues with the Perforating Veins aren't complex. Traditional stripping can fully resolve it."

"Then how much does this surgery cost?"

Lu Chen paused for a moment.

"The surgery fee plus anesthesia and consumables comes to about six hundred yuan."

The family of three was stunned.

"Six... six hundred?"

"Six hundred."

The Middle-aged woman's mouth hung open, unable to close for a long time.

"Doctor, are you telling the truth?"

"It's true, but I have to make it clear to you beforehand: the incisions for this surgery are larger than those for minimally invasive surgery. It will leave a few small scars on the leg, and the recovery period is slightly longer, but the functional outcome is the same."

The girl grabbed her mother's hand, her voice trembling.

"Six hundred yuan, Mom! We can afford six hundred yuan!"

The Middle-aged woman's tears began to fall again.

The Middle-aged man looked up at Lu Chen, his lips quivering.

"Doctor, really only six hundred?"

"Really."

"Then... then I'll have to trouble you, Doctor. Thank you so much!"

The Middle-aged man tried to stand up to bow to Lu Chen, but Lu Chen held him down.

"Sit still. You have ulcers on your legs; don't bump into anything."

Lu Chen straightened up.

"I'll go report to the Director first. This surgical plan needs the Director's approval before we can proceed."

He turned and walked toward Director Li Sen's office.

Halfway there, the system's notification sound rang out.

[System Mission Triggered]

[Mission Name: The Healer's Heart]

[Mission Description: The host did not blindly pursue advanced technology but instead chose the most appropriate and economical treatment plan based on the patient's actual financial situation and condition characteristics. This perfectly aligns with the core philosophy of a healer's benevolence.]

[Mission Requirements: Successfully treat the patient using high ligation and segmental stripping, with zero errors during the surgery and successful post-operative results.]

[Mission Reward: Extra gratitude points reward]

Lu Chen glanced at the mission prompt but did not stop.

The system reward was a pleasant surprise, but he hadn't made this decision because of the system.

He had grown up in an Orphanage.

He knew that for some families, the distance between six hundred yuan and twenty thousand yuan was the distance between heaven and earth.

...

Director Li Sen's office.

Lu Chen reported the situation.

After listening, Director Li Sen pondered for a moment.

"Are you sure traditional stripping can solve his problem?"

"Yes. His deep veins are patent, the valvular insufficiency is concentrated below the knee, and there are only two points of perforating vein insufficiency at clear locations. The indications for traditional stripping are fully met."

"Have you done this surgery before?"

"I haven't performed it alone as the lead surgeon, but I'm very clear on the operating principles and steps. Ligation, stripping, and perforating vein disconnection—these procedures pose no technical difficulty for me."

Director Li Sen looked at him.

"Do you know why many Hospitals don't do traditional stripping anymore?"

"I do. On one hand, minimally invasive technology is indeed better—less trauma and faster recovery. On the other hand, the consumables and fees for minimally invasive surgery are higher, contributing more to the Hospital's revenue."

Director Li Sen's eyebrows twitched.

"You certainly speak the truth."

"There's no need to beat around the bush. That family's situation is right there. They can't afford twenty thousand yuan. There's no need to spend twenty thousand on a problem that can be solved with six hundred."

Director Li Sen leaned back in his chair and watched him for a while.

"I agree with everything you've said, but I want to remind you of one thing."

"Please go ahead, Director Li."

"After performing this kind of traditional surgery, there might be gossip. People might say our Emergency Department is performing obsolete surgeries just to snatch patients. You need to be mentally prepared for that."

"Let them say what they want. As long as the patient's leg can be cured, that's all that matters."

Director Li Sen smiled.

"Alright, go ahead. I've approved it."

"Thank you, Director Li."

"Don't thank me. Schedule the surgery for the afternoon. Coordinate with Zhao Ming for the anesthesia; use an epidural."

"Understood."

Lu Chen turned and left.

Director Li Sen watched his retreating back and shook his head.

This young man's skills were rising, but his feet were always firmly on the ground.

It was quite good.