[Pulmonary embolism in material from a general surgery clinic]

Fifty patients hospitalized in the years 1983-1989 with pulmonary embolisation are the subject of this review. There were 26 females (mean age 69 years) and 24 males (mean age 61 years). The main indications for hospitalization were: peritonitis, malignant neoplasms, and bowel obstruction. In 31 subjects pulmonary embolisation was seen after the surgical procedures, in 19 during non-surgical therapy. In 12 patients embolisation occurred between the 6th and 12th day after surgery, in 8 between the 1st and 3rd day, in 8 between the 16th and 20th day. In all subjects risk factors were present. The diagnosis was made on clinical grounds in 40 subjects.