Abstract
The action of liposuction with vacuum and movement of the cannula back and forth results in fragments of fat globules, torn fat cells, and neutral fat. During liposuction, blood vessels are disrupted, leaving a path for the fatty acids to enter the vascular system. The pulmonary vascular occlusion in fat embolism is often temporary or incomplete since fat globules do not completely obstruct capillary blood flow because of their fluidity and deformability. The initial symptoms of fat embolization are probably caused by mechanical occlusion of multiple blood vessels with fat globules that are too large to pass through the capillaries. The neutral fat that embolizes to the pulmonary circulation can be degraded by pneumocytes to free fatty acids that are injurious to the pulmonary parenchyma, leading to adult respiratory distress syndrome. The fat embolism syndrome is characterized by acute hypoxemia, respiratory distress, central nervous system dysfunction, and a petechial rash involving the head, neck, anterior thorax, or axilla. The diagnosis of pulmonary fat embolus is largely based on typical symptoms and signs. Treatment consists mainly of supportive measures.