Postoperative Hemorrhage

Episode overview

Postoperative bleeding can be obvious—or remain hidden until the patient begins to deteriorate. In this episode, Chris and Mars review how to recognize postoperative hemorrhage, why an initially normal hemoglobin can be misleading, and how to distinguish focal surgical bleeding from a systemic coagulopathy. You’ll also learn the earliest signs of hemorrhagic shock, immediate resuscitation priorities, when imaging or embolization may be appropriate, why unstable patients need operative source control, the lethal triad of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy, and emergency management of an airway-threatening neck hematoma.