Life-Threatening Upper Airway Obstruction Caused by Delayed Hematoma Occurring 8 Days Post-Thyroidectomy.
10.11106/ijt.2015.8.2.187
- Author:
Kyeung A RYU
1
;
Sung Tae SEO
;
Ki Sang RHA
;
Bon Seok KOO
Author Information
1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Research Institute, Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea. bskoo515@cnuh.co.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Thyroidectomy;
Hematoma;
Postoperative complication
- MeSH:
Airway Obstruction*;
Anticoagulants;
Hematologic Diseases;
Hematoma*;
Hemorrhage;
Humans;
Postoperative Complications;
Thyroid Gland;
Thyroidectomy
- From:International Journal of Thyroidology
2015;8(2):187-189
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Due to modern methods, thyroid surgery is generally considered quite safe. However, post-thyroidectomy hematomas, although rare, can be life-threatening and unpredictable complications of thyroid surgery. Most postthyroidectomy hematomas occur within 24 hours of surgery, with delayed hematomas occurring after one post-operative week being exceedingly rare. Herein, we report a case of delayed post-thyroidectomy hematoma with respiratory distress occurring on the eighth post-operative day in a patient who was not taking anticoagulants and had no hematologic diseases. Although most bleeding occurs within 24 hours, caution should be used even in such patients who are considered low-risk.
