Pulmonary embolism after abdominoplasty - Are we really able to avoid all complications? Case reports and literature review
Abstract
Pulmonary embolism is a potentially lethal complication in plastic surgery patients. About 34% of the members of American Society of Plastic Surgery have diagnosed pulmonary embolism in their patients, and 7% had experienced at least 1 death due to this complication.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons Executive Committee approved the Venous Thromboembolism Task Force Report. The members agreed that there was not enough evidence to make all-inclusive recommendations for plastic surgery deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism prophylaxis, but released the 2005 Caprini Scale accompanied by the Task Force recommendations for use in plastic surgery.
It is generally strongly advised to use appropriate prophylactic measures against venous thromboembolism in all surgical procedures. However, even then we cannot completely avoid this serious complication.