Thang PHAN, Lanh Tran Thi THU, Trong Binh LE, Braydon BAK, Minh Nguyen VAN
Turkish Journal of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation - 2026;54(1):75-80
Perioperative pulmonary embolism (PE) is rare but potentially fatal and often difficult to diagnose under general anaesthesia. A fifty-one-year-old woman with hypertension and type II diabetes underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy. After pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg positioning, she developed hypoxemia, decreased EtCO?, and hypotension. Hemodynamics improved after de-sufflation, but hypoxemia persisted post-extubation. Echocardiogram showed right heart strain, and computed tomography pulmonary angiography confirmed acute PE from lower extremity deep vein thrombosis. She was treated with anticoagulation therapy, vasopressor support, and inferior vena cava filter placement and discharged from intensive care unit on postoperative day 5. This case highlights the importance of early suspicion and prompt diagnostic evaluation of intraoperative PE. A multidisciplinary approach and timely anticoagulation with or without interventional therapy are critical to improve outcomes.
