Key result
A 43-year-old patient with multiple risk factors developed asymptomatic bilateral massive pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis after arthroscopic multiple knee ligament reconstruction.
Case Report (n=1)
Highlights the potential for asymptomatic massive pulmonary embolism after arthroscopic knee surgery in patients with risk factors, emphasizing the consideration of perioperative thromboprophylaxis.
Asymptomatic massive PE can occur after arthroscopic knee ligament reconstruction in high-risk patients; leaves open whether thromboprophylaxis should be routine.
Venous thromboembolism, which includes deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a serious complication after operations involving the lower extremities, and it can be fatal. However, few reports have described the incidence of PE and its associated risk factors after arthroscopic knee surgery. We present a case of bilateral massive PE of the main pulmonary arteries and DVT detected on multi-detector row computed tomography after arthroscopic multiple knee ligament reconstruction. Our patient was asymptomatic despite having several risk factors for thromboembolic events (43 years of age, a long operation time, obesity, and diabetes mellitus) and receiving no pharmacologic thromboembolic prophylaxis. Although fatality due to PE is relatively uncommon, when a patient has several risk factors for PE, perioperative thromboprophylaxis should be considered. Level of evidence IV.
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Takigami et al. (2014) conducted a case report in Asymptomatic bilateral massive pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis (n=1). Arthroscopic multiple knee ligament reconstruction without pharmacologic thromboembolic prophylaxis was evaluated on Development of pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis. A 43-year-old patient with multiple risk factors developed asymptomatic bilateral massive pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis after arthroscopic multiple knee ligament reconstruction.
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