Pulmonary Embolism after Liposuction Totally by Tumescent Local Anesthesia in a Patient with Large Uterine Fibroids

Nicholas C Norman; Paytra A Klein; Noah J Choi; David G Smith; Jeffrey A Klein

doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000004876

Pulmonary Embolism after Liposuction Totally by Tumescent Local Anesthesia in a Patient with Large Uterine Fibroids

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2023 Mar 13;11(3):e4876. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004876. eCollection 2023 Mar.

Authors

Nicholas C Norman¹, Paytra A Klein², Noah J Choi³, David G Smith⁴, Jeffrey A Klein⁵

Affiliations

¹ HK Dermatology, San Juan Capistrano, Ca.
² Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA.
³ University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Ca.
⁴ University Hospitals of Cleveland.
⁵ University of California Irvine, Department of Dermatology, Irvine, Ca.

Abstract

A fatal pulmonary embolism occurred in a 43-year-old black woman after tumescent liposuction totally by local anesthesia. An autopsy revealed large uterine fibroids, peri-uterine vascular thrombi, and a large saddle pulmonary embolism. Large uterine fibroids are a risk factor for postsurgical venous thromboembolism. Fatal outcomes after tumescent liposuction totally by local anesthesia are exceedingly rare.

Publication types

Case Reports