Pulmonary Embolism after Liposuction Totally by Tumescent Local Anesthesia in a Patient with Large Uterine Fibroids

Abstract

Summary: A fatal pulmonary embolism occurred in a 43-year-old black woman after tumescent liposuction totally by local anesthesia. An autopsy revealed large uterine fibroids, peri-uterine vascular thrombi, and a large saddle pulmonary embolism. Large uterine fibroids are a risk factor for postsurgical venous thromboembolism. Fatal outcomes after tumescent liposuction totally by local anesthesia are exceedingly rare.