A 50-year-old woman has a total thyroidectomy for multinodular goitre. Six hours later she develops sudden stridor, neck swelling and difficulty breat...

Question

A 50-year-old woman has a total thyroidectomy for multinodular goitre. Six hours later she develops sudden stridor, neck swelling and difficulty breathing. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Accepted Answer

Urgently remove skin sutures and clips at the bedside to decompress haematoma while calling for help

Answer

Reassure; this is expected postoperative swelling

Answer

Arrange urgent neck ultrasound

Answer

Give nebulised Salbutamol only

Answer

Start antibiotics and observe

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Post-thyroidectomy neck haematoma

A 50-year-old woman has a total thyroidectomy for multinodular goitre. Six hours later she develops sudden stridor, neck swelling and difficulty breathing. What is the most appropriate immediate management?