10th September 2020

A 67-year-old lady is 4 days post-op for a Whipple’s procedure and develops pyrexia

A 67-year-old lady is 4 days post-op for a Whipple’s procedure and develops pyrexia, dyspnoea, and a purulent productive cough. She has not been mobilising well post-operatively and has been lying flat on most days. Her basic observations are: T 38.1, Oxygen saturations 92%, RR 30, HR 120, BP 95/65. On examination, there is reduced air entry, dull percussion and reduced chest expansion with associated crackles in the left lower base. Her calves are soft and non-tender, and she has been compliant with her anti-embolic stockings. Full blood count reveals leukocytosis. Chest x-ray shows blurring of the left heart border. 

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