رجل عمره ٥٢ سنة بعد استئصال الغدة الدرقية بأربع ساعات. صار عنده تورم متزايد في الرقبة، وضيق تنفس، وصوت صفير عند الشهيق، والضماد مبلل بالدم. التشبع ٩١٪، والنبض ١١٢. ما أول إجراء؟

A 52-year-old man four hours after thyroidectomy develops increasing neck swelling, breathlessness and inspiratory stridor, and the dressing is soaked with blood. SpO2 91%, HR 112. What is the first action?

1. Call urgently for help and prepare to open the wound
2. Give analgesia and recheck in an hour
3. Lower the head of the bed completely to reduce neck swelling
4. Give IV calcium for possible hypocalcaemia

Answer: A) Call urgently for help and prepare to open the wound. A post-operative neck haematoma compresses the trachea and is life-threatening. Summon the team, prepare to open the sutures (removal kit at the bedside), raise the head and support breathing.