CHAPTER 174: 174 STRONG LIU BANXIA

"Director Hu, I’m Liu Banxia from the Emergency Department. I scheduled a consult with you regarding an ear fistula," Liu Banxia said softly after knocking and stepping into the room.

Hu Qingqiu, Director of the Department of Plastic Surgery, nodded with a smile. "Sit down, let me take a look at the films. If all surgeons were as skilled as you, I’m afraid our plastic surgery department would see a huge drop in business."

"Director Hu, my skills don’t hold a candle to yours," Liu Banxia replied.

"Don’t be modest. Even Old Xie has praised your skills. You should have come directly to our plastic surgery department," Hu Qingqiu casually remarked while looking at the films.

"Director Hu, I was initially aiming for our hospital’s plastic surgery department. However, I can’t do that now since I’m tied down to the Emergency Department by my mentor," Liu Banxia said.

"No wonder so many people are interested in you. Looking at this, it’s not complicated. I’m free tomorrow afternoon and the day after tomorrow morning. Whenever it’s convenient for you, I’ll postpone my other matters," Hu Qingqiu said, looking at Qiu Huaili and the others.

"Let’s do it tomorrow afternoon then. The sooner it’s done, the sooner we can stop worrying. Does she need to be hospitalized?" Qiu Huaili asked.

"There’s no need. The fistula isn’t deep, and it’s not complicated. As long as she comes in for regular dressing changes, it’ll be fine. Dr. Liu can handle the dressing changes. Patients from the Proctology Department specifically ask for him," Hu Qingqiu stated.

"I don’t need to add anything else. Dr. Liu will explain everything to you in due course. Actually, if he were a bit bolder, he could handle this himself. He’s excellent at debriding diabetic foot injuries; this is nothing in comparison."

"No way, absolutely not. The little one is quite attached to me. I can change her dressings, no problem, but performing surgery on her would put too much psychological pressure on me," Liu Banxia quickly interjected.

It was only now that he truly began to understand some of the avoidance principles within the hospital. When dealing with people you were genuinely close with or your own family members, there were indeed many factors to consider.

Sometimes, considering more was a good thing, allowing for a more comprehensive approach. Yet, at other times, overthinking could backfire, because many of the things you worried about were entirely unnecessary.

The idiom ’concern breeds confusion’ described it perfectly.

The little girl had been great fun to play with the previous night, and considering his relationship with the Qiu family, even if he could perform the surgery, his confidence wasn’t entirely there.

"Brother, I won’t say much more. Thank you so much," Qiu Huaili said as they stepped out.

"Why be so formal with me? This little one is like a little sister to me; I have to look out for her," Liu Banxia teased.

"Haha, you’re not wrong. She really has taken a liking to you. Anyone else holding her for this long, she’d have protested long ago. Even at home, she won’t let me hold her, though Mingyuan is somewhat acceptable," Qiu Huaili said.

"Don’t let her cheerful demeanor fool you; she’s picky about people too. Now that my mind is at ease, Mingyuan, take your aunt and sister home first. Banxia and I need to discuss something else."

"Dad, what are you going to talk about? Can I listen in?" Qiu Mingyuan asked with a grin, taking his little sister into his arms.

"Scram, this is adult business. If you get a chance, invite your classmate to the hospital tomorrow. Let your dad take a look," Qiu Huaili said.

Hearing this, Qiu Mingyuan deflated. His old man was too formidable.

"Brother Qiu, what is it?" Liu Banxia asked curiously after Wang Jingxian and the others had left.

"Um, is there a private place to talk? It’s a personal matter, very private," Qiu Huaili said.

Liu Banxia was taken aback. This was a hospital, bustling with people; where could they find a private place to talk? After looking around, he could only lead Qiu Huaili to the fire escape stairwell.

"Brother Qiu, what is it? Is it something you find hard to talk about? Though I’m a doctor, I can’t handle everything," Liu Banxia said.

"What are you thinking? I’m fit as a fiddle; otherwise, how could we have Doudou?" Qiu Huaili glared at him, though his imposing manner faltered somewhat.

"Brother, are you saying an anal fistula can only be cured by surgery? Aren’t there folk remedies or something, like using a caustic solution to burn the tract closed?"

Liu Banxia was rather surprised; he truly hadn’t expected this.

"Don’t look at me like that. I found out about it two years ago. They said changing the dressing was painful, so I didn’t dare have the surgery," Qiu Huaili said.

"In the county, there’s someone who specializes in treating these things, whether it’s anal fistulas or hemorrhoids. He uses his solution, injects it, and burns it to heal them."

"I went for an injection back then, and for the past two years, it didn’t seem to cause any problems. But after hearing you talk today, I’m starting to have second thoughts. What do you think I should do?"

"What to do? Get it re-examined, of course," Liu Banxia said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"I’ve also heard that many small clinics in rural areas use this method. It seems less painful, but the risks are still significant."

"He uses a solution to constrict and cauterize the fistula tract. This can narrow the tract and also destroy the bacteria within it, achieving an anti-inflammatory effect."

"It all depends on how you look at it. Some people can have an anal fistula their whole life without it causing any trouble. At most, if it gets inflamed, some pus might drain from the external opening, and once the inflammation subsides, it’s nothing."

"But the scary part is if the inflammation persists for a long time and the external opening gets blocked again. It’s like a water pipe with the outlet blocked, but pressure keeps building up inside. What do you think will happen?"

"My god, wouldn’t that burst? Will mine burst too?" Qiu Huaili exclaimed, startled.

"Bursting isn’t likely, but it might forge a new path, turning into a complex anal fistula. When I was changing dressings in the Proctology Department, I encountered a patient who had seven fistula tracts," Liu Banxia said.

"You should get it checked. It’s been quite a while now, and an examination will give you peace of mind. If you’re willing, I can do the surgery for you. You’ll just need to stay in the hospital for a few days."

"Sigh... The reason I didn’t have the surgery back then was partly because I was afraid of the pain, and partly because I didn’t want anyone just fiddling with my backside," Qiu Huaili sighed.

"I’m telling you, you have to keep this a secret for me first. I haven’t even told your sister-in-law about this. Not just her, even Mingyuan doesn’t know."

"My goodness, you’re such a big boss, yet your thinking is so prejudiced? Avoiding treatment due to fear is not advisable. Come with me for an examination right away. Whether you have the surgery or not is a separate discussion," Liu Banxia said helplessly.

"A real examination? I was just asking. The digital rectal exam is quite uncomfortable," Qiu Huaili hesitated.

"Stop hesitating. If you don’t get it checked, I’ll be worried too. Let our hospital earn a little something from this. An anal fistula with a two-year history... I’m genuinely concerned," Liu Banxia said.

This wasn’t him trying to scare Qiu Huaili or play a prank. During his time changing dressings in the Proctology Department, he had encountered several patients whose simple anal fistulas had developed into complex ones because they hadn’t taken them seriously.

Although the probability wasn’t very high, it was still a real risk. Complex anal fistulas weren’t just agonizing when changing dressings; they also meant a longer hospital stay.

Moreover, for individuals who frequently consumed alcohol and spicy food, the incidence of anorectal diseases was higher.

Qiu Huaili was now genuinely worried, though he was also truly embarrassed. Liu Banxia was being rather insistent, so he reluctantly agreed.

On their way to the Proctology Department, Liu Banxia first called Liang Xiaolin. Fortunately, Wei Yuan was on duty today, so there wasn’t much going on.

"Well, well, if it isn’t our busy young man. Finally remembered to visit us, have you?" Jiang Tao joked when he saw Liu Banxia.

"Director Jiang, if you’d put in a good word with Director Zhou for me, I’d dare to come here every day," Liu Banxia said.

"Let me introduce you. This is President Qiu. He was diagnosed with an anal fistula two years ago but hasn’t paid it much mind. I dragged him here for an examination today. Who do you think should see him?"

"Guan Wei, take President Qiu for a check-up," Jiang Tao said.

"Brother Qiu, go ahead. It’s alright, don’t worry," Liu Banxia said, looking at Qiu Huaili.

Qiu Huaili gave him a helpless look, then thrust his handbag into Liu Banxia’s hands and dejectedly followed Guan Wei, who had stood up.

Liu Banxia found it quite amusing; Comrade Old Qiu seemed a bit timid right now.

"You’re quite the busy man now, kid. Which company’s president is he? He seems like quite a figure," Jiang Tao asked with a smile.

"I haven’t actually asked which specific company he runs. He has an auto-trading company, investment companies, and so on. He’s the father of one of my patients, who had a cerebral vascular occlusion," Liu Banxia said.

"This time, it’s his youngest daughter who has an aural fistula. We just finished her examination and scheduled the surgery, so I took the opportunity to drag him over for a check-up. He’s a bit resistant, but if he really decides to have the surgery, can I do it?"

Jiang Tao smiled and nodded. "Why not? I suppose you’ll have to personally change his dressings then?"

"He’s afraid of pain and easily embarrassed; otherwise, he would have had it done two years ago. By the way, how could you tell he’s a man of status?" Liu Banxia asked curiously.

"His watch, of course. The one he’s wearing isn’t cheap. Mine cost over thirty thousand, and even that pained me terribly when I bought it. His must be at least ten times that, maybe even more," Jiang Tao said.

"Tsk tsk, he really is a wealthy man. His watch alone could buy me an apartment," Liu Banxia remarked with a sigh.

"In a few days, our new batch of resident doctors undergoing standardized training will arrive. You’ll have to come over and give a demonstration then. I’m booking you in advance," Jiang Tao said.

"Rest assured, Director Jiang. That’s no problem at all. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had the nerve to bring him directly here today," Liu Banxia said with a smile.

Coming over to change dressings every day would be difficult to manage, but occasional visits could be arranged. Once the Emergency Department had more surgeons, his schedule would be even more flexible.

He was idly chatting with Jiang Tao when, after a while, Qiu Huaili returned with Guan Wei, his face grim.

"What’s wrong?" Liu Banxia asked, puzzled.

"During the digital examination, I felt a fistula tract and a sinus tract. The proctoscopy also revealed only one internal opening. As for whether there are other sinus tracts, we’ll need an MRI to confirm," Doctor Guan said.

Liu Banxia was speechless. It was a case of ’what you fear most is what comes to pass’; Qiu Huaili dreaded surgery, and now it seemed truly unavoidable.

"Stop overthinking it. Later, you’ll have a detailed examination with Doctor Guan. I’ll fill out the orders for you. You arrange your company affairs, and I’ll just get the surgery done for you, and that’ll be that," Liu Banxia said decisively.

Jiang Tao looked at him in surprise, not having expected Liu Banxia to suddenly become so assertive.