Clinical Experience of Pulmonary Embolism after Coverage of Pressure Sore

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary embolism is a one of the major cause of postoperative death. Surgery predisposes patients to pulmonary embolism, even as late as one month after the operation. The accurate detection of pulmonary embolism remains difficult, and the differential diagnosis is extensive. The prevention of pulmonary embolism is thus of paramount importance. We report a case of pulmonary embolism after coverage of pressure sore on the left ischium on the 8th day after operation. The patient was 60 years old, a severe smoker, in the high quantity of body mass index and had hypertension. The risk factors are 60 years of age or older who were in the highest quantity of body mass index. Heavy cigarette smoking and high blood pressure are also identified as risk factors. Plastic surgeons should keep the probability of pulmonary embolism development after operation in mind. When taking history, the risk factors should be checked certainly. The immobilization may explain the probability of pulmonary embolism development. Therefore absolute bed rest or positional maintenance should be avoided. Until recently, low molecular weight heparin has been used for preoperative prophylaxis. Plastic surgeons should be concerned in low molecular weight heparin for prophylaxis of the pulmonary embolism and study the indications and effectiveness in liposuction or abdominoplasty.