Fatal Pulmonary Fat Embolism Occurring in Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery: Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Fat embolism system is one of the serious complications of orthopedic surgery, which is common seen in cases of severe trauma with long bone fractures. However, in clinical medical practice, it is rarely seen for Fat embolism system in orthopaedic lumbar fusion surgery. This paper report a case of sudden shock and death during lumbar fusion due to lumbar intervertebral disc disease. By forensic pathological examination, the pulmonary and brain fat embolism were observed in tissue sections, and the patient was diagnosed as FES. Based on the review of relevant literature and the pathological findings of this case, the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of FES in lumbar fusion are commentated in this paper. At the same time, it is emphasized that the clinical practise should strengthened the understanding and attention of non-traumatic fat embolism cases in order to timely identify, diagnose and treat the disease, improve the effectiveness of treatment, and reduce the corresponding medical disputes.