The surgery was scheduled for the next morning, and the operating table was already prepared.
Gao Yuan stood on the patient's left side, facing the right knee covered with a sterilized drape, marked with purple lines on the skin: the patella, tibial tuberosity, joint line, entry point. These marks were drawn by him twenty minutes ago, each stroke precise to the millimeter. As he drew lines on the skin with a marker, several experts from the United States exchanged glances in the observation room; they rarely saw anyone do preoperative markings with such precision. Most people use templates or let residents do it. Gao Yuan drew them himself, stroke by stroke.
Robert stood on the opposite side, hands raised to his chest, maintaining sterility. He had already donned his surgical gown and gloves, just waiting for Gao Yuan to begin.
"Let's begin!" Gao Yuan said.
