sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site

Warning-sign checks

Brain surgery: 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. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help for:

    • A first seizure or a seizure lasting longer than instructed
    • Sudden weakness, facial drooping, speech trouble, or loss of vision
    • Collapse, severe confusion, or difficulty waking
    • Trouble breathing or chest pain
    • Heavy wound bleeding or clear fluid leaking continuously
    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. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact your surgical team promptly for fever, increasing wound redness, fluid leaking from the wound or nose, worsening headache, repeated vomiting, increasing drowsiness, or uncontrolled pain.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Questions about tiredness, mild stable discomfort, medicines, activity, work, or routine wound care can usually wait for normal clinic hours.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Brain surgery. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.