Fatal air embolism during radical retropubic prostatectomy.
Air embolism during urological surgery only rarely has been reported. We report a case of fatal air embolism occurring during radical retropubic prostatectomy. This entity is discussed in an attempt to raise the level of awareness of this rare but potentially lethal complication, especially in view of the ever increasing popularity of radical retropubic prostatectomy as the treatment for organ confined carcinoma of the prostate.
Razvi
H A
HA
Division of Urology, University Hospital, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Chin
J L
JL
Bhandari
R
R
D000368:Aged; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*