Arterial occlusion after surgery for ovarian malignancy. A case report

Inherent in the risks of pelvic surgery is the postoperative morbidity and mortality associated with the procedure. The gynecologic oncology patient presents further risks for several reasons, including a relative state of hypercoagulability. Anticipation of the problem and early recognition are the keys to decreasing the long-term sequelae of a complication. A well-recognized complication of gynecologic oncology surgery is venous thromboembolism. Advances allow the prophylaxis, recognition and treatment of this problem. Acute arterial occlusion is a much less common but potentially devastating complication.

A woman underwent surgery for ovarian malignancy and developed bilateral arterial occlusion of the lower extremities postoperatively.

Understanding the various genetic defects that predispose certain individuals to hypercoagulability will help identify patients with a particularly high risk of developing acute arterial occlusive disease.