Pulmonary embolism following laparoscopic surgery: a report of two cases.
Laparoscopic abdominal surgery is considered a low-risk procedure for postoperative complications because of reduced surgical stress and earlier mobilization. We report two patients who experienced pulmonary embolism following laparoscopic surgery; one patient underwent umbilical hernia repair and the other cholecystectomy. Although pulmonary embolism is indeed rare after laparoscopic surgery, early detection and early treatment are determinative factors for a good prognosis. Therefore, medical caregivers must remember that pulmonary embolism can be a critical complication after laparoscopic surgery and preventive measures should be employed for high-risk subjects.
Tsutsumi
Norifumi
N
Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. tnori@surg2.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Tomikawa
Morimasa
M
Konishi
Kozo
K
Gotoh
Norikazu
N
Shimabukuro
Rinshun
R
Okita
Keishi
K
Akahoshi
Tomohiko
T
Hashizume
Makoto
M
Sugimachi
Keizo
K
D000328:Adult; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006554:Hernia, Umbilical / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology*