[Pulmonary embolism in three surgical patients despite prophylactic measures]

Pulmonary embolism after surgery became a major problem in Japan recently. From the year 2000, we started the prophylaxis against pulmonary embolism in orthopedic or gynecological surgical patients with some risk factors of pulmonary embolism. But we experienced three cases of pulmonary embolism although two of them had received subcutaneous heparin after surgery. We consider that prophylactic measures are recommended for the patient with risk factors of pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism should be considered when surgical patients complain of abnormality such as chest pain.