Surgical hypothermia and its postoperative challenges: A case report.
Ahmed Ahmed, Baraa Hassan, Nissar Shaikh et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 21-year-old man undergoing oesophagectomy developed significant intraoperative hypothermia, with his core temperature reaching 34°C despite standard warming protocols. After surgery, he developed a haemorrhagic pleural effusion and a cervical haematoma. The authors considered hypothermia-induced coagulopathy the likely cause of bleeding from pulmonary microvasculature and into the neck; the haematoma caused respiratory compromise and required emergency surgery. The complications prolonged his recovery, including his stay in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit and overall hospitalisation.
What made this case unusual
The case links intraoperative hypothermia during oesophagectomy with two serious bleeding complications: haemorrhagic pleural effusion and a cervical haematoma compressing vital structures.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
After major surgery complicated by intraoperative hypothermia, consider coagulopathy when bleeding presents as a pleural effusion or an expanding neck haematoma; cervical compression can cause respiratory compromise and require urgent intervention.
Why it matters
The case highlights that standard warming protocols may not prevent significant hypothermia during complex surgery, and that postoperative bleeding complications may prolong recovery.