Reasons for seeking medical attention

Normal body temperature changes depending on the person, age, activity and moment of the day. Normally, it ranges between 36.1ºC (97ºF) to 37.2ºC (99ºF). If your temperature goes over 38ºC (100.4ºF), especially after a surgical procedure, it means that you should have a consultation at your surgeon or at the GP.

There is no need to monitor your body temperature after any procedure meanwhile you feel good.

If you start measuring your temperature because you do not feel well enough, record the moment of the day and the measured temperature to show the variations to your doctor at the consultation.

After an important surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia, changes occur within your respiratory system. Two important ones are the presence of residual blood in the operated lung and the local inflammation of all the airways. Both facts tend to produce certain amount of cough and sputum. But sputum should normalize soon. If you experience changes in the amount and appearance of the sputum, you may have an infection. It is reasonable to start measuring your temperature and ask for an appointment with your doctor.

Remember if you already have been diagnosed as having COPD, the probability of developing a respiratory infection is higher than in other patients. Do not wait until the temperature raises to ask for consultation.

Changes in the amount but especially in the appearance of the sputum after a pneumonectomy are very important. If you experience any change, seek for urgent medical attention.

Most pulmonary resections are accomplished by cutting a part of the lung. The remaining lung needs to heal to avoid air leaks. At the daily rounds, your surgeon checks the presence of air leak. When no air leak occurs, the chest tube can be removed. Normally, this means the lung has healed. Unfrequently, the lung did not heal completely, and air can escape from the lung although no chest tube is in placed to extract it. This air, first, will accumulate in the pleural cavity but tend to escape through the wounds under the skin. The accumulated air under the skin will give you the impression of being swollen. Sometimes, air gets into the central part of your body and changes the tone of your voice.

This complication although pretty much striking is not important. It will resolve with adequate treatment. The air will disappear, and your voice will sound normal again. This is another reason for an urgent consultation.

Cancer and lack of adequate exercise are the main causes of venous thrombosis in your legs. Nevertheless, performing the recommended exercise and having the daily heparin dose does not eliminate the probability of having a complication in the venous system of your lower legs or thighs.

If you experience any of those symptoms: warmth and tenderness over the vein, skin redness, swelling or pain in one or the two legs, ask for an appointment.

Superficial or deep venous thrombosis are related to a blood clot that develops inside the vein. This venous complication needs specific treatment. Prompt diagnosis is important to avoid the breakup of the clot that can produce a pulmonary embolism, a much more important complication.

Intense postoperative pain is an important issue because it does not let you breathe or cough adequately increasing the risk of complications. During the immediate postoperative period, occasional increase in pain can occur. To manage this, sit in an upright position and try to breathe calmly while you take the correspondent painkiller dose or one extra dose of your medication. Should it happen during the night: get out from the bed, take your medication and sit down in an upright position until the pain has slowed down and you can come back to the bed.

Remember to take your medication strictly as it has been recommended in your hospital report. If the problem occurs more than two-three occasional times, ask for an appointment to improve your pain control.

Surgical procedures over the lung influence the heart activity. Sometimes this means that your heart starts having an irregular heart rhythm or arrythmia. Maybe you have a previous Atrial Fibrillation, but it also can complicate after pulmonary surgery. Either case is a situation for seeking medical consultation.

In this situation you can feel clear palpitations but sometimes you feel simple unexplained nervousness. Normally, the irregular heart rhythm produces associated shortness of breath and fatigue.  

Of course, this complication should be promptly controlled. It is easy to detect performing an EKG (electrocardiogram). Treatment includes medication and sometimes certain procedures to restore the normal heart rhythm.

If you detect your heart rhythm is irregular and this is not your normal situation, ask for an urgent consultation at your surgeon or GP. If it happens in the context of an AF, again you should ask for a medical appointment.

A certain sensation of shortness of breath can be consider normal especially the closer the surgery.  At your rhythm, it should improve day after day. However, if you experience a clear, brisk increase in your shortness of breath with or without associated chest pain, you may be experiencing a respiratory complication that needs urgent evaluation.  Do not hesitate, ask for consultation.