[Analysis the reasons of pulmonary embolism after spine surgery in eleven patients].
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the clinical characteristics, early diagnosis and treatment for pulmonary embolism after spine surgery.


METHODS
From January 1995 to May 2006, 11 cases suffered pulmonary embolism after spine surgery in the total of 10 993 patients. The clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of these 11 cases were retrospectively analyzed.


RESULTS
The incidence of pulmonary embolism was 0.1% after spine surgery. Pulmonary embolism was found during 5 to 14 days after spine surgery (mean 9.8 days). All of them show characteristic syndrome of pulmonary embolism, such as difficult breathe, cardiopalmus, thoracodynia, hemoptysis. Five patients died, and the mortality was 45.5%. The earlier use of pulmonary angiography and embolectomy by catheter device, the lower mortality will be. It is significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulmonary embolism is one of the serious complications after spine surgery. It is the period of high happening on deadly PE and the mortality during 1 to 2 weeks after spine surgery. Pulmonary angiography and interventional therapy take an important part in the early diagnosis and treatment.
Wang
Sheng-Lin
SL
Department of Spinal Surgery, the Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China. wangmumu@medmail.com.cn
Nie
Ying
Y
Wang
Chao
C
Chen
Zhong-Qiang
ZQ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013131:Spine / Q000601:surgery*