Chapter 28
Ziiik.
Kang-hyuk swiftly sliced open the donor’s abdomen with his scalpel.
“Huh.”
Jaewon secretly marveled at Kang-hyuk’s bold and precise incision.
The abdominal incision on patient Lee Ki-young earlier had been impressive—one clean cut from the [xiphoid process] to just above the pubic bone.
(T/N: Xiphoid Process – The small, cartilaginous extension at the lower end of the sternum breastbone that [ossifies] into bone with age)
(T/N: Ossifies – The process by which soft tissue, such as cartilage, gradually turns into bone over time. )
But was it this fast? Was it this deep?
No, it wasn’t.
“What are you doing? Suction.”
“Oh, yes.”
Even though brain-dead patients had no spontaneous respiration, their heart function could persist for a while after brain death.
Of course, their heartbeat was far from regular.
But that didn’t mean there was no blood flow at all.
Shiiik.
With Jaewon assisting with suction, Kang-hyuk deepened the incision.
The peritoneum was soon cut open, revealing the internal organs.
Everything appeared well-perfused, their coloration looking normal.
“Hmm.”
Kang-hyuk glanced toward the anesthesia machine, briefly surprised.
A stern-looking professor adjusted the machine with an indifferent expression.
To an outsider, it might seem like he was just fiddling with buttons unnecessarily.
But in reality, his precise control was the only reason the brain-dead patient’s body remained physiologically stable.
This was the essence of what anesthesiologists meant when they called themselves the “conductors of the operating room.”
“I’ll take a quick look at the liver.”
An unfamiliar voice drew Kang-hyuk’s attention to a newcomer.
Kang-hyuk immediately understood why he was here.
A portable ultrasound machine stood behind him.
“Ah, please.”
Kang-hyuk stepped aside, and the radiologist covered the liver with a sterile drape before scanning it with the ultrasound probe.
Compared to an ultrasound performed over intact skin, this direct examination was vastly more accurate.
Not that such a method could be used for routine check-ups.
Shuk shuk.
White shadows flickered on the once-black ultrasound screen.
The radiologist’s hands moved so swiftly that Jaewon couldn’t even tell what he was looking at.
Even Kang-hyuk could only gather that the liver appeared to be in good condition.
After barely a minute, the radiologist nodded and lifted the probe.
“The liver looks excellent. I’ll check the vascular connections once the transplant is complete.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
“Alright, then.”
Without an assistant, the radiologist wheeled the ultrasound machine out of the operating room.
Kang-hyuk watched her leave, feeling a strange sense of admiration.
“Korea’s medical field is absurdly unbalanced.”
On one hand, trauma surgery was so underdeveloped that calling it neglected was an understatement.
On the other hand, fields like radiology boasted some of the best medical standards in the world.
First-rate and third-rate medicine coexisted in the same country.
It would be nice if professionals of her caliber showed more interest in trauma surgery. (T/N: Is this a foreshadowing of a new team member in season 2?)
But realistically, that wasn’t going to happen.
Trauma surgery was a barren wasteland.
Only a lunatic would willingly venture into it.
And that was why Jaewon was a student Kang-hyuk felt the need to train with genuine care.
“Anus, watch carefully. Harvesting a liver is easy. One look, and you’ll get it.”
“Uh, yes, Professor.”
Jaewon nodded as he gazed down at the fully exposed liver.
For the first time in a while, he felt a tinge of confidence.
After dealing with nothing but trauma patients, seeing a normal, intact abdominal cavity was almost refreshing.
He was so used to identifying distorted anatomy in trauma cases that encountering normal structures felt like a luxury.
For once, he felt like he could actually do something.
“First, we ligate the [hepatic artery] and [hepatic vein]. Simple, right?”
(T/N: Hepatic artery – A blood vessel that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the liver.)
(T/N: Hepatic vein – A blood vessel that carries oxygen-depleted blood away from the liver and into the inferior vena cava.)
“Well… Yeah, I suppose.”
Jaewon nodded as he looked at the hepatic artery, already in clear view.
This was something he could handle on his own.
Not as fast as Kang-hyuk, of course.
Before Jaewon even finished his thought, Kang-hyuk had already ligated the vessels.
For a moment, Jaewon wondered if he had blacked out.
That was how quick and precise Kang-hyuk was.
“What are you waiting for? Cut it with the scissors.”
“Oh, yes.”
Jaewon cut the ligated hepatic artery and vein.
As a result, the liver, once firmly anchored in the upper right abdomen, began to loosen.
Kang-hyuk held it steady and asked,
“Where do we cut next?”
“The bile duct.”
“Correct. You know, you always answer well.”
“I did graduate at the top of my board exams.”
“Yeah? I don’t remember seeing that in the newspapers.”
“My attending professor is the director of the surgical education board. He would’ve known…”
Jaewon trailed off.
Come to think of it, he had turned down a chance to train under Han Yoo-rim—one of the most influential figures in the field—to study under Kang-hyuk instead.
In terms of raw skill, Kang-hyuk was incomparable.
But when it came to academic prestige and networking, Han Yoo-rim was leagues ahead.
If Jaewon wanted a mentor who could elevate his career and guide him through academic circles, Han Yoo-rim would have been the better choice.
Did he make the right decision?
Kang-hyuk, either unaware or indifferent to Jaewon’s inner turmoil, simply tied off the bile duct.
“Cut.”
“Ah, yes.”
Jaewon set his doubts aside and quickly snipped the bile duct.
There was no time for hesitation.
Not just for Lee Ki-young’s sake.
But for the countless other patients whose names he didn’t even know.
Jaewon turned and saw the medical team from another hospital waiting in the wings.
Once Kang-hyuk removed the liver, they would proceed to harvest other organs.
This patient was already gone.
But because of him, several others would get a second chance at life.
“What are you thinking about so much?”
Kang-hyuk didn’t allow Jaewon the luxury of reflection.
He was the kind of doctor who only focused on the patient in front of him.
“Ah, yes. My apologies.”
“Forget the apologies. Just find the [portal vein]. See it clearly here?”
(T/N: Portal vein: the large vein that carries blood to the liver from the digestive organs, spleen, pancreas, and gallbladder)
Kang-hyuk pointed to the thick vessel located at the back of the liver.
As the main conduit supplying blood from the digestive organs to the liver, it was massive.
Even the most skilled surgeons found it challenging to isolate and ligate in one swift motion.
But, of course, it didn’t seem difficult for Kang-hyuk.
“See? Just a quick flick, and it’s tied off. Easy, right?”
“Ah… yeah.”
Jaewon nodded, feeling like a child watching The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross.
That “Easy, right?” felt almost mocking.
But just like Bob Ross, Kang-hyuk didn’t seem to be joking.
He genuinely believed it was easy.
That made it worse.
‘Is this just supposed to be normal for him?’
As Jaewon struggled with the gap between reality and expectation, Kang-hyuk effortlessly tied off the lower part of the portal vein.
The ease with which he did it was almost disorienting.
“Alright, that’s done.”
The hepatic artery, hepatic vein, portal vein, and bile duct—
These were the main structures anchoring the liver to the body.
Now that they were all severed, the liver hung loosely, barely staying in place.
Of course, it wouldn’t be carelessly ripped out.
This liver wasn’t meant to be discarded—it was going to save the patient’s son.
This wasn’t just an organ. It was life itself.
Tidi-didik.
Kang-hyuk meticulously severed the membrane and ligaments surrounding the liver with his scalpel.
An electrocautery would have been faster and more convenient.
But he preferred using a scalpel whenever possible.
Even the slightest heat damage was to be avoided.
Of course, this required extraordinary dexterity and a level of precision beyond that of a typical surgeon.
‘How… how is he cutting without making it bleed?’
Jaewon glanced at the monitor, wondering if the patient’s heart had stopped.
The screen displayed a blood pressure reading of 100/80.
At that level, even the slightest mistake should have caused blood to spill.
In other words, Kang-hyuk was cutting only the membranes and ligaments—without a single unintended incision.
‘Monster… If I learn from him, can I really become like him?’
It didn’t seem possible.
Jaewon had always considered himself one of the more skilled surgeons among his peers.
But Baek Kang-hyuk was beyond even the label of “genius.”
“Okay. It’s done. Pack it up.”
“Ah, yes.”
Jaewon carefully placed the excised liver into the prepared transplant cooler.
The transport time wouldn’t be long, given that it was staying within the same hospital.
Still, organs weren’t something that could be mass-produced in a factory.
Even the smallest damage could jeopardize the transplant.
“Let’s go. It’s already been ten minutes.”
“Ten minutes…?”
Jaewon looked at the clock in disbelief.
The anesthesia had started about thirty minutes ago.
But the surgery itself had only lasted ten minutes.
“This is insane.”
Jaewon wasn’t the only one shocked.
The anesthesiology professor, who had been monitoring the procedure, was just as stunned.
She had heard plenty of complaints about Kang-hyuk from colleagues like Hwang Sun-woo.
Which only made this moment more surreal.
“He’s… already done?”
Even with her own eyes fixed on the now-empty upper right abdomen, it was hard to believe.
Meanwhile, Kang-hyuk strode out of the operating room, pushing open the heavy doors.
The surgeons waiting outside—doctors from another hospital—exchanged the customary greeting.
“Good work.”
It was now 4:50 AM.
Everyone present wasn’t waking up early.
They were simply people who hadn’t slept yet.
So they could freely exchange the words “good work” without irony.
“Yes, good work.”
For once, Kang-hyuk had no objections and offered a brief nod before passing them by.
Jaewon hurried ahead to hold the elevator.
Kang-hyuk couldn’t run while carrying the cooler, so this was the best way to save time.
As they stepped inside, Kang-hyuk spoke.
“Anus.”
“Yes, Professor.”
“Any updates from the operating room?”
He was referring to the room where Lee Ki-young was being prepped for transplant.
Jaewon had already checked his phone as soon as the liver was removed.
He was able to answer confidently.
“No, nothing.”
“Good. We got lucky today.”
Jaewon nearly scoffed at the absurdity of that statement.
Pulling an all-nighter dealing with emergency patients is lucky?
A month ago, he would have thought so.
But now…
Somehow, he was beginning to understand.
“Descending now.”
The elevator carried two surgeons—
And one life—
Down below.
—
This episode was developed in collaboration with the Korea Organ Donation Agency (KODA) to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation.
