The resident asks himself: “What time is it?” Realizing he is tardy he races to the OR. There
he quickly changes into his scrubs and goes through the other preparation ritual. He then
enters into his assigned operation. After commenting that he had not been called to the
operation, he asks the scrub nurse for a retractor and carefully inserts this into the
incision, anchored against the costal margin. He positions himself comfortably at the end of
the retractor.
Shortly after there is silence in the operating room. Feeling lonely the operator, Professor
Harry, comments: “Wakeup, you can surely sleep on your feet, body weight supported by the
retractor. What a talent. Here, tie this suture.”
“Oops!” says the resident.
“Its not the suture. Its the jerk at the end of the tie” retorts Professor Harry.
The resident completes the tie successfully on the second try. He then takes up the suture
scissors and respectfully comments: “Professor, how do you want me to cut your sutures today:
too long or too short?”
Professor Harry ignores the comment and continues the operation on a retroperitoneal tumor.
The resident goes back to his station, pulling on the retractor. He appears revived after that
catnap. The professor then intones: “Interesting case boy. I’ve never seen a case like this
before. Where’s the camera…? No camera. No photographs. Well, it won’t be published.”
Disappointedly Professor Harry continues: “Have you done the search on hemorrhage and
gangrenous gallbladder?” (Silence) “Promises, promises, promises….” After a long pause he
continues: “Fellowship?”
The resident whispers to the scrub nurse, out of the professors earshot: ” What about the
loan? What about my wife? I last saw her a week ago. The kids, they are total strangers.” He
then says aloud: “I mailed out forty applications but plan to attend few interviews.”
The operation is done and the conversation continues in the change room: “You didn’t shave
this morning.”
“More than that: I slept on the road and totalled the car.”
Hastily going through the doorway Professor Harry’s comment fades behind the closing door:
“Happy you are OK.”
The resident screems, “A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-H,” as he too vigorously tightens the knot on his
tie.
SurgicalInSite 