Key result
Posterior correction surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was followed by a suspected fatal acute pulmonary embolism in a 16-year-old female without thrombosis risk factors.
Case Report (n=1)
Highlights the risk of potentially fatal postoperative pulmonary embolism even in young patients without traditional thrombosis risk factors.
May warrant vigilance for PE after scoliosis surgery in low-risk adolescents; single case leaves open prophylaxis trials.
Pulmonary embolism is a significant complication of surgery. This report presents a case of suspected fatal postoperative acute pulmonary embolism following posterior correction surgery in a 16-year-old female with idiopathic scoliosis. The patient presented with a suspected pulmonary embolism 2 h postoperatively. She lost consciousness quickly, and cardiac respiratory arrest occurred. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started immediately. The patient was stabilized but underwent a further suspected pulmonary embolism the following day. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed again, but she lost consciousness and respirator support was required. At 40 days after surgery, a computed tomography scan revealed an area of necrotic brain tissue near the lateral cerebral ventricle. The patient remained in a comatose state for 16 months, after which active management was withdrawn. This case reminds us to be alert to potentially fatal postoperative pulmonary embolism in young patients without any risk factors for thrombosis.
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Meng et al. (2013) conducted a case report in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (n=1). posterior correction surgery was evaluated. Posterior correction surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was followed by a suspected fatal acute pulmonary embolism in a 16-year-old female without thrombosis risk factors.
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