Successful intraarterial thrombolysis of an ischemic limb four days after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

A J Sandison1, R A Edmondson, Y Panayiotopoulos

  • 1Department of Surgery, United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals, Guy's Hospital, St. Thomas Street, London SE1 9RT, UK.

Intraarterial thrombolysis is usually contraindicated after abdominal surgery because of the risk of bleeding. However, it is a highly effective treatment for embolic acute limb ischemia, particularly for clearing the distal vessels. We report a case in which intraarterial thrombolysis was safely used 4 days after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with an acutely ischemic leg due to embolus.