Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy: when to get help
Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Heavy bleeding or severe difficulty breathing requires emergency care.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact your surgical team promptly for increasing wound redness, drainage, fever, worsening pain, repeated vomiting, or sweating changes that are difficult to manage.
Seek urgent medical care for new or worsening shortness of breath, sudden severe chest pain, coughing up blood, fainting, or a very fast or unusually slow heartbeat with dizziness.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.