Transient pulmonary embolism during impaction bone grafting of the femur.

We report a case of pulmonary embolism occurring transiently during impaction of morsellized bone graft in the femoral medullary canal as a part of revision hip arthroplasty. To our knowledge this complication has not yet been reported during impaction bone grafting. Increased awareness would lead to use of monitoring devices and early intervention during revision hip surgery. (Hip International 2004; 14: 48-50).