Severe fat embolism in perioperative abdominal liposuction and fat grafting.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fat embolism syndrome may occur in patients suffering from multiple trauma (long bone fractures) or plastic surgery (liposuction), compromising the circulatory, respiratory and/or central nervous systems. This report shows the evolution of severe fat embolism syndrome after liposuction and fat grafting. CASE REPORT: SSS, 42 years old, ASA 1, no risk factors for thrombosis, candidate for abdominal liposuction and breast implant prosthesis. Subjected to balanced general anesthesia with basic monitoring and controlled ventilation. After 45min of procedure, there was a sudden and gradual decrease of capnometry, severe hypoxemia and hypotension. The patient was immediately monitored for MAP and central catheter, treated with vasopressors, inotropes, and crystalloid infusion, stabilizing her condition. Arterial blood sample showed pH=7.21; PCO2=51mmHg; PO2=52mmHg; BE=-8; HCO3=18mEqL(-1), and lactate=6.0mmolL(-1). Transthoracic echocardiogram showed PASP=55mmHg, hypocontractile VD and LVEF=60%. Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. After 24h of intensive treatment, the patient developed anisocoria and coma (Glasgow coma scale=3). A brain CT was performed which showed severe cerebral hemispheric ischemia with signs of fat emboli in right middle cerebral artery; transesophageal echocardiography showed a patent foramen ovale. Finally, after 72h of evolution, the patient progressed to brain death. CONCLUSION: Fat embolism syndrome usually occurs in young people. Treatment is based mainly on the infusion of fluids and vasoactive drugs, mechanical ventilation, and triggering factor correction (early fixation of fractures or suspension of liposuction). The multiorgânico involvement indicates a worse prognosis.

[Severe fat embolism in perioperative abdominal liposuction and fat grafting]. / Embolia gordurosa grave no peroperatório de lipoaspiração abdominal e lipoenxertia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fat embolism syndrome (FES) may occur in patients suffering from multiple trauma (long bone fractures) or plastic surgery (liposuction), compromising the circulatory, respiratory and/or central nervous systems. This report shows the evolution of severe FES after liposuction and fat grafting. CASE REPORT: SSS, 42 years old, ASA 1, no risk factors for thrombosis, candidate for abdominal liposuction and breast implant prosthesis. Subjected to balanced general anesthesia with basic monitoring and controlled ventilation. After 45minutes of procedure, there was a sudden and gradual decrease of capnometry, severe hypoxemia and hypotension. The patient was immediately monitored for MAP and central catheter, treated with vasopressors, inotropes, and crystalloid infusion, stabilizing her condition. Arterial blood sample showed pH = 7.21; PCO2 = 51mmHg; PO2 = 52mmHg; BE = -8; HCO3 = 18 mEq/L, and lactate = 6.0 mmol/L. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed PASP = 55mmHg, hypocontractile VD and LVEF = 60%. Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. After 24h of intensive treatment, the patient developed anisocoria and coma (glasgow coma scale = 3). A brain CT was performed which showed severe cerebral hemispheric ischemia with signs of fat emboli in right middle cerebral artery; transesophageal echocardiography showed a patent foramen ovale. Finally, after 72h of evolution, the patient progressed to brain death. CONCLUSION: FES usually occurs in young people. Treatment is based mainly on the infusion of fluids and vasoactive drugs, mechanical ventilation, and triggering factor correction (early fixation of fractures or suspension of liposuction). The multiorgânico involvement indicates a worse prognosis.

Single-injection femoral nerve block with 0.25% ropivacaine or 0.25% bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia after total knee replacement or anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of single-injection femoral nerve block (FNB) in postoperative pain after total knee replacement (TKR) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind study. PATIENTS: 96 ASA physical status I, II, and III patients, scheduled for TKR or ACL reconstruction. INTERVENTIONS: All patients received a standard spinal anesthetic, then were randomly divided into three treatment groups as follows: Group B (n = 30) received an FNB with 40 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine containing epinephrine, 1:200,000; Group R (n = 32) received an FNB with 40 mL of 0.25% ropivacaine; and Group C (n = 28) received no FNB. MEASUREMENTS: The following clinical outcomes were assessed at up to 6 hours (T1), 6 to 10 hours (T2), and 10 to 24 hours (T3) after spinal anesthesia was given: visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, both at rest and on movement (no or mild pain, moderate pain, or severe pain); morphine use; sensory block in the femoral, obturator, and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve dermatomes; and motor block of the femoral and obturator nerves. MAIN RESULTS: Except for VAS during rest and on movement at time T3, there were more Group C patients who experienced moderate or severe pain than those who had no pain or mild pain, when compared with Groups R and B. Sensory block in the femoral and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve dermatomes did not differ between Groups R and B at any times. However, sensory block in the obturator nerve dermatome was lower in Group R than Group B only at T3. We observed a lower, significant use of morphine at T2 when comparing Groups R and B with Group C. No Group R patient and about 30% of Group B patients remained with motor block of femoral and obturator nerves at T3. Except for frequency of nausea, which was highest in Group C, the frequency of other side effects was similar among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Femoral nerve block using 0.25% ropivacaine or 0.25% bupivacaine is an effective method of postoperative analgesia after TKR and ACL reconstruction, particularly for the first 10 hours after spinal anesthesia.