Journal List > Int J Thyroidol > v.8(2) > 1082722

Ryu, Seo, Rha, and Koo: Life-Threatening Upper Airway Obstruction Caused by Delayed Hematoma Occurring 8 Days Post-Thyroidectomy

Abstract

Due to modern methods, thyroid surgery is generally considered quite safe. However, post-thyroidectomy hema-tomas, although rare, can be life-threatening and unpredictable complications of thyroid surgery. Most post- thyroidectomy 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 he-matoma 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.

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Fig. 1.
Neck angio-computed tomography (CT) scan of our patient. It showed a low-attenuating lesion with partial rim enhancement, suggesting a hematoma in the thyroidectomy bed.
ijt-8-187f1.tif
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