Massive pulmonary embolism presented as sudden cardiac arrest in the immediate postoperative period after laparoscopic hysterectomy

Intraoperative Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosed by Rescue Transesophageal Echocardiography in a Morbidly Obese Patient Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery following Motor Vehicle Crash

A case of intraoperative pulmonary embolism diagnosed by rescue transesophageal echocardiography in a morbidly obese patient undergoing orthopedic surgery following motor vehicle crash, who developed acute and persistent tachycardia, hypotension, and reduction of end-tidal CO2 during general and regional anesthesia, is described.

Value of Transoesophageal Echocardiography for Diagnosis of Intraoperative Tumour Embolization

Malignant neoplasms such as renal cell carcinoma may invade the inferior vena cava leading to a risk of pulmonary tumour embolization during surgical excision. Although massive pulmonary tumour embolism occurs relatively rarely, it can have catastrophic consequences. We report the case of an acute intraoperative pulmonary tumour embolism during resection of a renal cell carcinoma. The use of transoesophageal echocardiography allowed the immediate diagnosis and appropriate management of the underlying cause of acute haemodynamic instability. The role of transoesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is discussed.

Which one is safer - performing a laparoscopic hysterectomy with a tissue fusion device involving diagnostic cystoscopy or traditional abdominal hysterectomy with ureteral dissection?

INTRODUCTION

It still remains an unanswered question whether, in the absence of gynecological malignancy and under elective conditions, to perform abdominal hysterectomy (AH), offering a safer approach, or to perform a laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) procedure.

AIM

We aimed to compare LH operations performed with a tissue fusion device accompanied by intraoperative diagnostic cystoscopy with traditional AH operations involving bilateral ureteral dissection.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The integrity of the ureters, ureteral peristalsis and the diameter of the ureters were examined during AH by inspection. At the end of LH, the bladder wall was systematically evaluated by cystoscopy and a jet of urine spurting was noted from both ureteral orifices.

RESULTS

The operation time was longer in patients who underwent LH + CYS (p = 0.0001). The decline in hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in the postoperative period was significantly higher in patients who underwent AH + UD (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.002, respectively). No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of ureteral injury, bowel injury or bladder injury (p = 0.378, p = 1.000 and p = 1.000, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean body temperature and postoperative blood transfusion requirements (p = 0.051 and p = 0.210, respectively). Mean parenteral analgesic requirement and length of hospital stay were significantly different between the groups (p = 0.005 and p = 0.0001). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications, re-operation rate or occurrence of genitourinary fistula (p = 1.000, p = 1.000 and p = 1.000, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that LH performed with a tissue fusion device involving diagnostic cystoscopy yields major and minor complication rates similar to safely performed AH operations preserving ureters.

Lower extremity venous Doppler evaluation in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological operations

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopy is established as a standard of care in a variety of gynecological pathologies. Pneumoperitoneum and reverse Trendelenburg positioning during laparoscopy have been claimed to increase thrombosis risk, albeit these proposals are still controversial. The aim of this study was to assess lower extremity venous blood flow by Doppler sonography in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgeries.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective, nonrandomized, controlled study was designed to compare lower extremity venous Doppler measurements in patients undergoing diagnostic and operative gynecological laparoscopies. In the period from May 2010 to April 2011, in total, 96 patients operated on for various gynecological complaints excluding malignancy were enrolled in the study. Thirty-two of these patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy, 34 underwent operative laparoscopy, and 30 underwent open surgery. Lower extremity venous blood flow was investigated by Doppler sonography in patients the day before surgery and 24 hours afterward. Preoperative and postoperative Doppler measurements were obtained from bilateral common and superficial femoral, bilateral great saphenous, and bilateral popliteal veins.

RESULTS

Lower extremity venous Doppler measurements were similar in diagnostic and operative laparoscopy groups. Femoral venous blood flow measurements were observed to be similar, but great saphenous and popliteal blood flows were found to be significantly decreased in the open surgery group compared with laparoscopic operations.

CONCLUSIONS

The laparoscopic approach in gynecological surgery is not associated with an adverse effect on lower extremity blood flow and seems not to bring an additional risk of thrombosis.

Acute Pulmonary Embolism Following Laparoscopic Ovariectomy: A Case Report

Laparoscopic surgery is usually considered to be less invasive when compared to traditional laparotomy, and is regarded as a relatively low-risk procedure for postoperative complications because of the reduced surgical stress and earlier mobilization. However, we describe a 47-year-old woman who presented with acute respiratory distress, drowsy consciousness, and circulatory collapse shortly after gynecologic laparoscopic ovariectomy for removing an ovarian teratoma at a local hospital. After resuscitation, the patient was transferred to our emergency department. Immediate bedside electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examination results led to acute pulmonary embolism being quickly diagnosed. The patient received subsequent intensive care with smooth course. Although pulmonary embolism is rare after laparoscopic surgery, early detection and quick treatment are important in the management of this life-threatening complication and offer good prognosis. The risk of pulmonary embolism after gynecologic laparoscopic surgery remains unclear. Therefore, the decision to provide prophylaxis is up to the individual physician, and should take into consideration the patient's individual risk factors and comorbidities.