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Microscopic and Macroscopic Fat Embolism: Solving the Puzzle with Case Reports
Héctor Durán1, Lázaro Cárdenas-Camarena1, Jorge Enrique Bayter-Marin1
1From private practice; the Divisions of Plastic Surgery and Internal Medicine, Jalisco Institute of Reconstructive Surgery "Dr. José Guerrerosantoss"; the Jalisco College of Plastic, Esthetic and Reconstructive Surgery; and Clínica "El Pinar."
Background:
The frequency of fat embolism mortality after liposuction has increased. As the only dependable evidence for this problem is that available in the medical literature, a study of clinical case reports is warranted.
Methods:
The authors reviewed the medical literature by searching for case reports of fat embolism after liposuction in humans who manifested either of the variants of the condition: microscopic fat embolism or macroscopic fat embolism. The authors performed a literature search of the PubMed and PubMed Central databases from the first case of fat embolism syndrome associated with liposuction reported until March of 2017; keywords Fat Embolism (Fat Embolism Syndrome), Liposuction, and Case (((fat embolism) AND liposuction) AND case) were used. A detailed analysis of the data contained in the clinical case reports was conducted.
Results:
In total, 39 and 98 articles were found in PubMed and PubMed Central, respectively, using the keywords (((Fat + Embolism) + AND + Liposuction) + AND + Case). After analysis, only 15 reports corresponded to cases of macroscopic or microscopic fat embolism after liposuction, and the basic statistics of the two proposed variants were examined.
Conclusions:
This work provides relevant information regarding very important characteristics of microscopic and macroscopic fat embolism. Despite the diagnostic difficulty, clinical diagnosis remains the gold standard for identifying microscopic and macroscopic fat embolism. The establishment of a rapid and timely diagnosis is of great help for appropriate treatment.
Insights
Fat embolism after liposuction is a growing concern. This study analyzed case reports, highlighting the importance of clinical diagnosis for both microscopic and macroscopic fat embolism to ensure timely treatment.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Pathology
Background:
- Increasing mortality rates associated with fat embolism following liposuction procedures.
- Limited evidence necessitates a review of existing clinical case reports to understand this complication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of microscopic and macroscopic fat embolism after liposuction.
- To emphasize the role of clinical diagnosis in managing fat embolism syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of PubMed and PubMed Central databases up to March 2017.
- Inclusion criteria focused on case reports of microscopic or macroscopic fat embolism post-liposuction.
- Analysis of data from selected clinical case reports.
Main Results:
- Identified 15 relevant case reports of fat embolism after liposuction from an initial search yielding 137 articles.
- Examined basic statistics for both microscopic and macroscopic fat embolism variants.
Conclusions:
- Provides critical information on the characteristics of microscopic and macroscopic fat embolism.
- Clinical diagnosis is the gold standard, despite diagnostic challenges.
- Prompt diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of fat embolism syndrome.
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