title: Sudden Death Due to Bilateral Pulmonary Thromboembolism Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.
abstract: Cases of sudden death due to pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) following laparoscopic surgery are very rare. The risk factors for PTE include sex, operation duration, age, obesity, and underlying diseases. The development of thromboprophylaxis according to specific risk factors has contributed to the decrease in postoperative mortality. Here, we describe the case of a 50-year-old patient with sudden death due to PTE at 24 hours after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The origin of the thrombi were bilateral deep vein thromboses in both the lower extremities. No severe risk factors for PTE were detected in the patient, and pneumatic compression devices were used during the surgery for thromboprophylaxis. We believe that the accumulation of minor risk factors may have contributed to the onset of PTE. Hence, a more cautious assessment of the risk factors for PTE prior to surgery is required in such cases.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Legal Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan.
authors.forename: Shogo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kasuda
authors.forename: Risa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kudo
authors.forename: Katsuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yuui
authors.forename: Masatoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakata
authors.forename: Katsuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hatake
mesh_terms: D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D048228:Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications