Head & Neck Clinic / Two-week-rule tree / Postoperative rescueCLINICALLY REVIEWED Fictional educational material only—not a clinical decision aid. Check current guidance and the applicable local pathway before use.
Fictional educational cases. This is not an examination pass score or a real-patient treatment tool. No patient information is collected. Changing patient or restarting clears this attempt. Choose an encounter 1. Thyroid patient · expanding neck haematoma 2. Tongue patient · suspected free-flap compromise 3. Tracheostomy patient · postoperative bleeding 4. Laryngectomy patient · salivary leak 5. Tongue patient · aspiration and unsafe swallowing 6. Neck-dissection patient · new neurological deficit Original three patients Thyroid patient · expanding neck haematoma A 43-year-old is four hours after thyroidectomy. There is no tracheostomy or free-flap reconstruction. This is specifically a post-thyroid neck emergency.
Decision 1 of 5 · Urgency Information available now New neck pressure, difficulty swallowing and anxiety develop. The dressing is tight and swelling is increasing. Oxygen saturation is currently normal.
What is the immediate priority? Assess at the bedside immediately and activate senior surgical and anaesthetic help Reassure and repeat observations later because saturation is normal Send for ultrasound before contacting the operating team Restart attempt · Return to reference tree
Postoperative Rescue Lab · Results & MDT Decisions Lab · Reconstruction Decisions Lab · Thyroid Results & Surgical Decisions Lab · Adult Neck Lump & Diagnostic Discordance Lab