Abstract

Postoperative bleeding is a rare cause of mortality after thyroid surgery. Most of life threatening bleeding ocuur after 4 to 6 hours after surgery, rarely can be seen after 24 hours.
In this article we present a case in whom we experienced life threatening bleeding late after thyroidectomy. During operation ultrasonic coagulation device was used for coagulation of vessels.
Total thyroidectomy was performed a 54 year old female patient. She had a sudden swelling of throat, dyspnea and cyanosis after coughing. Hematoma was drained immediately at bed of patient by opening sutures. Afterwards she was taken to operation room, bleeding from right upper polar artery was recognised and tied.
Patients must be followed after thyroidectomy for bleeding at least for 24 hours. In selected cases, suturation of big vessels can decrease bleeding ratio.