Clinical characteristics of perioperative pulmonary thromboembolism: Analysis of 18 patients in Kitasato University Hospital

Clinical characteristics of perioperative pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) at Kitasato University Hospital in Japan were analyzed. Eighteen patients were documented as apparent diagnosis of PTE which developed perioperatively in the period of 1991-1999. The incidene of PTE was 18 out of approximately 50000 surgical cases. Mean age of patients was 48 years (range, 21 to 79 years). There were 4 men and 14 women. Perioperative risk factors included obesity with body mass index over 26.4 (6/18), and prolonged bed rest after surgery more than 4 days (6/18). Perioperative PTE tended to occur in patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (3/18) and cesarean section (3/18). Seven out of 18 PTE patients died. It should be noted that perioperative PTE is prevalent in patients with risk factors of obesity and prolonged bed rest after surgery, and that laparoscopic cholecystectomy and cesarean section may become additional risk factors in patients who are otherwise healthy young adults.