Does Spine Surgery in Patients with a History of Bariatric Gastrectomy Increase the Risk of Delayed Pulmonary Embolism?

• Published in: Journal of orthopedic & spine trauma Vol. 7; no. 4
• Main Authors: Zarei, Mohammad, Rostami, Mohsen, Yaseen Khan, Furqan Mohammed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 01-04-2022
• Subjects: Bariatric Surgery; Gastrectomy; Pulmonary Embolism; Spine; Venous Thromboembolism
• ISSN: 2538-2330; 2538-4600
• DOI: 10.18502/jost.v7i4.8864

Background: This is a novel observation report on patients undergoing spine surgery with a history of bariatric procedures. Acknowledgment of aggregated complications in such patients can prevent catastrophic outcomes.
Case Report: We report three patients with spinal disorders and a history of bariatric surgery who developed pulmonary embolism following spine surgery. None of the patients had a history of venous thromboembolism or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) before this event. All patients were given thromboprophylaxis after both bariatric and spine surgery, including intra- and post-operative mechanical and pharmacological thromboprophylaxis upon discharge.
Conclusion: Patients undergoing spine surgery with a history of bariatric procedures are at increased risk of developing venous thromboembolic complications, including pulmonary embolism. We recommend extensive venous thromboembolic evaluation and treating these patients as high-risk individuals even in the absence of active thromboembolic disease.