Pulmonary Embolism in Reoperation of Alveolar Ridge Cancer: a Case Study

Abstract

Complications after alveolar ridge cancer surgery such as a dehiscenced wound or infected wound
because this is rich of saliva organ requiring reoperation to correct these complications. In addition, deep
vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are major postoperative complications which life threatening
conditions, particularly in patients with many risk factors such as old age (>70 years old), active
cancer, immobilization for more than 3 days, and infected postoperative wound. In this case report we
found thrombosis in the right internal jugular vein and a massive pulmonary embolism during surgery
making the patient to have unstable vital signs. It was difficult condition to decide because we could not
perform definite treatment for pulmonary embolism between surgery. The use of anticoagulant might
increase blood loss in the surgical field and our institute was unable to perform thrombectomy. This case
study shares an experience when encounters difficult hematological condition during surgical operation.