Pulmonary Embolism Associated with Major Liposuction: A Case Report

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is probably the leading cause of death associated with liposuction. It occurs most frequently with general anesthesia or heavy intravenous sedation. Thrombosis is a manifestation of a complex series of events leading to vascular inflammation. A relationship may exist between the risk of thromboembolism and surgical or anesthetic techniques. New information may permit the liposuction surgeon to identify more easily and thus avoid patients at increased risk. In addition to massive liposuction and other co factors, was also COVID positive, several studies have documented an association between the COVID-19 pathogenesis and a pro-coagulant pattern that may lead to higher risk of thrombosis. Incidence of acute PE among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 ranged between 1.6 and 62.5%.