Fat Embolism After Plastic Surgery: A Case Report

Fat embolism is an uncommon but life-threatening postoperative complication. The nonspecific symptoms associated with fat embolism could delay the diagnosis and result in a poor patient outcome. We report the case of a healthy 37-year-old woman who underwent a 6-hr breast and abdominal surgery with liposuction. Postoperatively, she displayed mild dyspnea, decreased oxygen saturation level, chest tightness, and fatigue. On Postoperative Day 3, pulmonary multislice computer tomography showed a fat embolus in her right pulmonary artery. She was treated with an anticoagulant to which she responded well and was discharged on Postoperative Day 7. This case demonstrates the need for surgeons, nurses, and anesthesia professionals to identify potential risk factors, recognize signs and symptoms, and implement effective treatment of pulmonary embolism to ameliorate the prognosis, improve the success of the surgery, and save the life of the patient.