title: Fulminant adult respiratory distress syndrome after suction lipectomy. A case report.
abstract: The adult respiratory distress syndrome developing within 24 hours in a patient who underwent suction lipectomy for body contouring under general anaesthesia is reported. During surgery, in which a total of 1.3 l of suction matter was removed, the patient became haemodynamically unstable and mildly hyperthermic. Subsequently, clinical signs and symptoms of the fat embolism syndrome developed. Aggressive haemodynamic and respiratory support over an 8-day period resulted in patient survival. Malignant hyperthermia was excluded as cause for the clinical presentation on muscle biopsy and in vitro caffeine contracture studies. Although usually complication-free, suction lipectomy may be associated with life-threatening incidents. Even suction volumes as low as 1.3 l have potential hazards, therefore the procedure merits regular postoperative observation and re-assessment.
authors: Department of Anaesthesia, Johannesburg Hospital.
authors: A P
authors: AP
authors: Boezaart
authors: C W
authors: CW
authors: Clinton
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Braun
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Oettle
authors: N P
authors: NP
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*