Patient presents with neck swelling and respiratory distress few hours after a thyroidectomy surgery. Next management would be:: (A) Open immediately, (B) Tracheostomy, (C) Wait and watch, (D) Oxygen by mask
Answer is A. In this case, the swelling is due to tension haematoma which is a complication of thyroidectomy. Hence the resulting complication will be respiratory obstruction secondary to laryngeal oedema. Ref: Harrison's Internal Medicine, 18th Edition, Page 362; bailey and Love's Sho Practice of Surgery, 25th Edition, Page 790, 794 and 23rd Edition, Page 727.