title: Airway management of a life-threatening post-thyroidectomy haematoma.
abstract: Neck haematomas are rare but potentially life-threatening complications of thyroid surgery. Postoperative monitoring, early diagnosis and immediate management are critical, as this condition can rapidly lead to compression and obstruction of the upper airway. We present a case of a 69-year-old woman who suffered respiratory failure resulting from a post-thyroidectomy haematoma with airway obstruction and severe haemodynamic compromise, presenting a difficult anaesthetic challenge. Following development of a likely 'cannot intubate, cannot ventilate' situation despite haematoma evacuation, the patient underwent emergency cricothyroidotomy, before rapid sequence intubation and subsequent surgical haemostasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Adigbli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Northwick Park Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome