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Deep venous thrombosis after office vasectomy: a case report
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. dcooke@umich.edu.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|August 5, 2010
Summary
A major embolic event, including pulmonary embolism and venous thrombosis, occurred after a minor office vasectomy in a healthy man. This case emphasizes the risk of thromboembolism after less invasive procedures.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Vascular Surgery
- Cardiology
Background:
- Postoperative pulmonary embolism is a known complication of major surgery.
- Thromboembolism can also occur following minor surgical procedures.
- This case details a significant embolic event after an office vasectomy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of major thromboembolic event following an office vasectomy.
- To highlight the potential risks associated with seemingly minor surgical procedures.
Main Methods:
- A case presentation of a healthy 35-year-old man who underwent an uncomplicated office vasectomy.
- Diagnostic work-up included lower extremity Doppler ultrasound and CT angiogram.
- Laboratory investigations were performed to rule out thrombophilia.
Main Results:
- The patient developed acute venous thrombosis and extensive bilateral pulmonary emboli shortly after the vasectomy.
- No underlying thrombophilia was identified despite extensive testing.
- The patient remained recurrence-free for eight years post-event.
Conclusions:
- Major embolic events, such as pulmonary embolism, can occur after minor office-based procedures like vasectomy.
- Aggressive investigation is warranted in patients presenting with suggestive symptoms post-procedure.
- This case underscores the importance of considering thromboembolic risk even in low-risk surgical settings.
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