during my MS-3 surgery rotation, i got pulled into a cardiothoracic surgery case. the division, and this attending in particular had...a reputation, and most of us would do anything to get out of working with them. but this time, i couldn't get away.
it was a laparoscopic case involving one lung. my job was to hold the camera--not a particularly difficult job, but one that's really important, and one that's not easy if you've not done it before.
as things were getting set up, the attending was talking to me about how we were going to insert the endotracheal tube further than normal, to intentionally intubate one lung, allowing us to work on the other. brilliant. i'd never thought of that.
we got started, and i was doing a relatively good job holding the camera. but something didn't seem right. i decided to say something.
"i think the tube's in the wrong place."
she responded angrily. "we just talked about this."
"i think the tube's in the wrong place."
she responded angrily. "we just talked about this."
"yes, i know. you said we would be ventilating only one lung. but it looks like we are ventilating both."
things were adjusted. no harm was done. no apology was made. no gratitude was expressed. no words were said.
things were adjusted. no harm was done. no apology was made. no gratitude was expressed. no words were said.
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