An autopsy case of intraoperative death due to pulmonary fat embolism--possibly caused by release of tourniquet after multiple muscle-release and tenotomy of the bilateral lower limbs

Abstract

We report a case of a juvenile male with muscle rigidity caused by cerebral palsy who experienced intraoperative sudden death due to pulmonary fat embolism after multiple muscle-release and tenotomy of the bilateral lower limbs. Data were obtained through review of the surgical and anesthesia records, as well as from autopsy and histopathological examination. All surgical procedures were performed within the same operation, beginning with the right lower limb and then proceeding with the left lower limb, with application of a pneumatic tourniquet to avoid intraoperative hemorrhage. Slight changes in the hemodynamics were noticed after release of the right tourniquet. Further, sudden onset of hypotension, severe bradycardia, and a marked decrease in percutaneously monitored oxygen saturation occurred just after release of the left tourniquet when the left limb was raised for casting. The patient died despite immediate and vigorous cardiopulmonary resuscitation. At autopsy performed 20 h after death, examination of the lungs revealed a pale surface, slight edema, and obvious fat droplets in the vessels at the cut surfaces. Histopathological examination with fat staining was notable for the presence of pulmonary fat embolism. These results suggest that restoration of venous return after removal of the tourniquet combined with massive fat embolism from dead spaces was the likely cause of death.