Prophylaxis of fat embolism syndrome: a current analysis

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

To analyze data from the internet on deaths from fat embolism, time of onset, and other information that could determine current reality in Brazil regarding fat embolism syndrome incidence and any ,media repercussions, and also to review methods of prevention and what are the best methods available to treat this disease.

Methods:

A Google search was conducted from January 2000 to January 2014 using the keywords “plastic surgery” and “death.” We included and reviewed articles containing the words “embolism”, “fat embolism” and “complications in (or of) plastic surgery”.

Results:

We included 235 relevant news stories over the 14 included years. There were 45 cases of death related with plastic surgery that offered few data for individualization. Of these patients, 44 were women. Possible causes mentioned were pulmonary embolism (five cases), perforation of viscera (four cases), malignant hyperthermia (three cases), anesthesia (two cases), anaphylactic shock (two cases), fat embolism (one confirmed case), and “other” (five cases).

Conclusion:

Guidelines to prevent fat embolism in plastic surgery are needed, however, there is also the need of more evidence based studies to understand more clearly what methods are best.

Keywords:
Anaphylaxis; Embolism fat; Malignant hyperthermia; Pulmonary embolism; Surgery plastic/mortality; Viscera.

RESUMO

Introdução:

Analisar dados da internet relacionados a mortes por embolia gordurosa, inicio da doença, e outras informações podem determinar a realidade atual no Brasil relacionada à incidência da síndrome de embolia gordurosa e qualquer repercussão na mídia, e também revisar as metodologias de prevenção e quais são os melhores métodos disponíveis para tratar a doença.

Métodos:

Uma pesquisa no google foi conduzida de Janeiro de 2000 a Janeiro de 2014 utilizando os descritores “cirurgia plástica” e “morte”. Foram incluídos e revisados artigos contendo as palavras “embolia”, “embolia gordurosa” e “complicações em (ou de) cirurgia plástica”.

Resultados:

Incluiu-se 235 matérias novas relevantes ao longo dos 14 anos. Houve 45 casos de óbito relacionados com cirurgia plástica que ofereceu poucos dados para individualização. Desses pacientes, 44 eram mulheres. As causas possíveis mencionadas foram embolia pulmonar (cinco casos), perfuração das vísceras (cinco casos), hipertermia maligna (três casos), anestesia (dois casos), choque anafilático (dois casos), embolia gordurosa (um caso confirmado), e “outros” (cinco casos).

Conclusão:

Diretrizes de prevenção para embolia gordurosa em cirurgia plástica são requeridas, porém, há também necessidade de mais estudos baseados em evidência para entender mais claramente quais são os melhores métodos.

Descritores:
Anafilaxia; Embolia gordurosa; Hipertermia maligna; Embolia pulmonar; Cirurgia plástica/mortalidade; Visceras.

INTRODUCTION

The word “embolism” derives from the Greek and it means “something throw in”. It constitutes a frequent intraoperative and postoperative risk. Fat embolism occurs due to a mechanical blockage of the vascular lumen by circulating fat droplets, mainly as a result of orthopedic fractures in long bones and polytrauma secondary to cosmetic procedures involving lipectomy and fat grafting. Other associated risk factors are burns, soft tissue injury, sepsis, intravenous infusion of lipids, acute pancreatitis, alcoholism and corticosteroid therapy¹-³.

The main symptoms involve the respiratory system and the central nervous system being the classic triad: progressive respiratory failure, altered level of consciousness and petechiae (12-72h after the initial event.)²,³.

There are two major theories that explain the pathophysiological evolution of signs and symptoms of fat embolism, but they do not change the treatment plan: a mechanical hypothesis and a biochemical hypothesis. The most accepted theory is the combination of the two theories, with mechanical factor responsible for the genesis of the syndrome.

The mechanical hypothesis holds that intravascular projection of microdroplets of fat through the venous sinusoids as a result of increased intramedullary pressure following fractures and cosmetic procedures. Upon reaching the small pulmonary vessels, primarily, and the systemic vessels, as a result of the patency of the foramen ovale, of pulmonary arteriovenous microfistulas and of the deformation of microdroplets of fat running through the pulmonary capillaries, vascular obstruction occurs with the onset of symptoms.

The biochemical hypothesis is based on the action of an enzyme called lipoprotein lipase, which degrades micro droplets of fat into free fatty acids, increasing the serum content of their toxic byproducts which cause endothelial injury and type II pneumocytes (responsible for producing surfactant). There is, as well, an increased level of chemical mediators such as platelet activating factor, phospholipase A2, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, serotonin, and nitric oxide - among others - responsible for the evolution of the clinical presentation⁴,⁵.

Fat embolism (FE) occurs in most patients with long bone fractures and pelvic fractures. The incidence varies, depending on the series, from 67-95% of trauma patients¹,². Still, fat embolism syndrome (FES) occurs in only 1-10% of patients of those who exhibit pulmonary, neurological, cardiac, hematologic, eye and skin signs and symptoms²,³.

The first case of post traumatic FE was reported by Zenker in 1862, but only in 1873 that Bergmann conducted the first clinical diagnosis of a FE case following hip fracture. In 1970, Gurd characterized the clinical findings and defined FES². Since then, a number of studies have been conducted in orthopedics and plastic surgery area to improve definition and treatment in cases of FES.

Fat grafting procedure is commonly performed after lipectomy, both for aesthetic and reconstructions purposes. However, few reports exist in the literature on FES. During lipectomy and fat grafting, there are ruptured venules and damage to adipocytes, yielding lipid microfragments which reach the venous circulation and, consequently, FE that can also reach the circulation system. A study of lipectomy in an animal model found circulating microparticles of fat and pulmonary lipid deposits in 100% of the sample¹. By presenting a very severe clinical picture, some preventive strategies for FES were described. Regarding plastic surgery, especially lipectomy, initial care should be given to diligent patient selection for proposed procedures. Reduction in surgical time decreases the risk for development of FES, as well as risks for other adverse events, such as thromboembolism. The limited number of procedures in a single area of the body lessens injury to blood vessels, decrease the possibility of lipidmicrofragments to penetrate vessels. Preventive strategies also include administration of intravenous fluids for up to 24 hours after surgery to maintain adequate blood volume and prevent hemoconcentration¹,².

Although lipectomy is widely used, there are few reports in literature on the FES following its procedures. We analyzed data from an internet search related to deaths from FE, time of onset, and other relevant information to determine current reality in Brazil regarding FES incidence and any media repercussions.

METHOD

A Google search was conducted from January 2000 to January 2014 using the keywords “plastic surgery” and “death.” Articles including the words “embolism”,”fat embolism” and “complications in (or of) plastic surgery” were reviewed. We included only manuscripts written in Portuguese and from Brazilian publications. All data reported in the lay reports were collected, such as associated surgeries and date of complications.

RESULTS

The search resulted in 235 relevant news stories over the 14 included years. Among those news stories, there were 45 cases of death related to plastic surgery, but they had minimal data for individualization. Of these patients, 44 were women. Deaths occurred during the surgery and up to three months after surgery. Causes of death varied and were imprecise.

Possible causes mentioned were pulmonary embolism (five cases), perforation of viscera (four cases), malignant hyperthermia (three cases), anesthesia (two cases), anaphylactic shock (two cases), fat embolism (one confirmed case), and “other” (five cases). The term “embolism” was used generically in 24 cases.

Therefore, among the 24 cases of “embolism,” which were determined as fat embolism, patients’ mean age was 38.1 years, all individuals were female. Symptoms were highly variable, and most frequent causes of death were: dyspnea, chest pain, respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.

In 13 patients (58.3%) symptoms occurred during surgery. Two patients died immediate in the postoperative period, three in the first postoperative day and other three in the second day after surgery. One patient developed lethal condition on the fifth postoperative day (after a coma during surgery) and another patient on the seventh day - with a clinical presentation of dyspnea and cough on the first day after surgery (Table 1).

Table 1
Time of possible occurrence of fat embolism.

	Number of cases
Intraoperative	14
Immediate after surgery	2
1st day after surgery	3
2nd day after surgery	3
5th day after surgery	1
7th day after surgery	1

Among these 24 cases of death, in only two cases (1 abdominoplasty and 1 breast implant) no lipectomy was performed. In the remaining 24 cases, lipectomy was part of the surgical procedure: in four cases, lipectomy alone; three cases of liposculpture (liposculpture followed by lipo-injection; and in 15 cases, lipectomy combined with other cosmetic procedures.

We observed little consistent data regarding the cases (Table 2), most of them did not have updates in news after the first two weeks following the event.

Table 2
Relationship between evaluated cases and epidemiological, clinical and surgical data.

PT	Age	State	Surgery	Cause	Time	Year
MCS	36	Paraná	L + A	Embolism and AMI	X	2013
LUM	30	Rio Grande do Sul	L P	? X Perforation	X	2013
IFM	60	Santa Catarina	L ESC	Embolism	X	2013
MGPS	41	São Paulo	P	TEP	REPAI - SUBITO	2013
RAB	25	Sergipe	L + A	Embolism	X	2013
AMQ	34	Paraná	L P	TEP?	2 DPO	2013
RMD	47	Alagoas	L ESC A	Embolism?	X	2012
AFS	41	Minas Gerais	A M	Embolism	14 HPO	2012
ACBP	23	Espírito Santo	L P	Embolism? BRONCHIAL ASP	2 DPO	2012
CMS	35	Alagoas	A	Embolism	2 DPO	2012
LBB	25	São Paulo	L	Embolism	X	2012
DCS	49	Roraima	L A M	Death during sleeping	22HPO	2011
SAHB	54	São Paulo	A P	Embolism?	X	2011
RLSN	38	Paraíba	L M	Embolism?	X	2011
MIS	43	São Paulo	L P	Embolism	X	2011
RC	32	Goiás	L	?	POI	2011
SN	25	São Paulo	L P	?	X	2011
MGG	62	Rio Grando do Norte	L A P	?	X	2011
MANR	46	Distrito Federal	L M B	Embolism?	X	2010
KMFG	33	Goiás	L A P	Pulmonary Embolism	7 DPO	2010
MNOS	40	São Paulo	L A P	Embolism?	1 DPO	2010
GCD	34	São Paulo	L	Embolism?	X	2009
RABL	27	São Paulo	L	?	X	2009
FCPM	25	Maranhão	L P	Embolism	5 DPO	2007

L + A: lipectomy and abdominoplasty; L ESC: liposculpture; P: mammary prosthesis; LP: lipectomy; L ESC A: liposculpture e abdominoplasty; AM: abdominoplasty and mammoplasty; A: abdominoplasty; L: liposuction; LAM: lipectomy, abdominoplasty and mammoplasty; AP: abdominoplasty and mammary prosthesis; LM: lipectomy and mammoplasty; LAP: lipectomy, abdominoplasty and mammary prosthesis; TEP: pulmonary thromboembolism; AMI: acute myocardial infarctation; REPAI - SUBITO: postoperative recovery room; DPO: day/s Post Op; HPO: hour/s post op; POI: immediate post op.

DISCUSSION

Patients suffering orthopedic trauma comprised the majority of FES cases, and most of studies were done in this area. Post-orthopedic trauma patients, with or without fracture of long bones⁴ must be followed-up for early diagnosis.

Lipectomy is the second most commonly surgery performed by plastic surgeons in Brazil and in the USA, and currently, the number of lipofilling procedures is also on rise. The combination of lipectomy and lipofilling increases the incidence of fat embolism, and consequently, the risk of FES³.

The onset of symptoms generally occurs within 12-72 hours of the trauma⁵. In our analysis, approximately 60% of embolisms occured during surgery. Logically there is bias in relation to the patient series used, since many similar cases may not have been reported in press, or had a confirmed diagnoses.

On the other hand, clinical diagnosis is essential (Chart 1 and Table 3), no gold standard exam exist for confirmation of FES. One third of patients present this clinical triad: acute respiratory distress, neurological alterations and petechiae⁴. FES is generally selflimiting³, and it requires only ventilation support.

Chart 1
Clinical symptoms for the diagnosis of fat embolism.

Major symptoms	Minor symptoms
Skin rash- petechiae	Tachycardia
Respiratory symptoms with bilateral symptoms and radiological alterations	Pyrexia
Neurological symptoms	Retinal petechiae
	Fat globules in the urine or oligoanuria
	Sudden fall of hemoglobin
	Sudden thrombocytopenia
	High ESV
	Fat globules in the phlegm

Fat embolism syndrome (FES): 1 major symptom + 4 minor symptoms + fat macroglobulenemia. ESV: erythrocyte sedimentation volume.

Table 3
Scoring system for clinical symptoms of FES.

Symptom	Score
Diffuse petechiae	5
Alveolar infiltration	4
Hypoxemia (<70%)	3
Mental confusion	1
Fever (>38º C)	1
Cardiac frequency	1
Respiratory frequency	1

Fat embolism syndrome (FES): 5 or more points.

Present mortality rate of FES is 7-15%, it tends to fall with the increase of advanced technologies in the ICU². It is important to be aware that FES occurs in up to 23% of femoral fractures. However, it is often not diagnosed because of the associated traumas (especially chest trauma) which might masquerades respiratory symptoms of FES⁵.

In order to avoid FES, early stabilization and reduction of fracture of the long bones is essential⁶. Additionally, the pre-hospitalization use of oxygen therapy has been seen to be effective in reducing the symptoms of FES⁴. An experimental study with rats has shown that general anesthesia is superior to spinal anesthesia (reduced mortality in the presence of FES), possibly suggesting that general anesthesia should be used in patients with greater risk for FES⁷.

In an analysis of 30 rats in which the technique of superwet lipectomy was used, and in which animals were divided into three groups - one with anesthesia alone (control), one with lipectomy alone, and one with lipectomy plus fat grafting - there was a 30% higher incidence in deposits of fat cells in the pulmonary capillaries in the liposuctioned group than in the control group, and 60%higher incidence in the group with fat grafting. Although there is no information on how significant this risk is, and if this risk occurs in humans undergoing this type of procedure. That study did not prove that lipectomy can cause embolisms, or show emboli that may or may not cause problems, even when associated with graft fat, in which most cases of fat emboli in the lungs were seen².

Other analysis assessed the effect of FE in several organs such as lung and liver of 20 New Zealand rabbits submitted to intramuscular autologous fat grafting in the right thigh following lipectomy. The lung and liver tissue were examined post-euthanasia to identify any late injury secondary to a previous FE event in the tissues. The only change observed was the macroscopic sample stains of the liver tissue. There were no microscopic signs consistent with embolic effect. There were no symptoms compatible with repercussions of an embolic process microscopically⁴.

In a retrospective study of 14 years’ experience injecting fat in the gluteal region for aesthetic purposes, in which there was variation in the quantity of fat and region filled over the years, they concluded that when a large quantity of fat is injected in a small area in an attempt to obtain better results, there are more frequent complications. Two patients (0.2%) had FES. In both cases, the quantities of aspirated material and of injected fat were very small, but both had significant dehydration after the surgery⁸.

Similar cases were described, in which dehydration was present in FES. Dehydration can cause blood concentration, including concentration of fat that was not completely eliminated from the circulatory system following lipectomy and/or lipofilling. Significant fluid ingestion is recommended after surgery. Complications were fewer if the fat was distributed in a more extensive area and in different layers, allowing for better revascularization³.

The extensive mobilization of fat during lipectomy can cause mechanical damage to the adipocytes and neighboring blood vessels, permitting the lipids to reach the bloodstream, and there is an increase in fat embolism associated with lipofilling².

In an experimental study comparing lipectomy techniques, the dry technique presented an especial high risk for embolism immediate after surgery. The option to perform fat injections using a less traumatic surgical technique (following wet or tumescent lipectomy, and with a reduced number of lipectomy sites) can be considered preventive measures against embolic events³.

In case reports on lipectomy followed by FES there are descriptions, such as: “the surgery took place without intercurrences, with 600 ml of fat removed. General anesthesia lasted two hours, with no significant loss of blood”⁴. Again, note that even without the stated “risk factors,” the risk exists. When combined with other procedures, as evidenced in our analysis, the risk increases, with the increased length of the surgery, and with greater mobilization of complicating factors⁸-¹².

Despite the many professionals affirm that intramuscular lipofilling may cause more injures to vessels, therefore causing a higher incidence of FES, no articles were found comparing subcutaneous and intramuscular lipofilling, or affirming the superiority of one technique over the other. This is an area needing further research⁷-¹³.

There is no specific treatment for FES, but there is supportive treatment: ventilation support, hemodynamic support, and the controversial use of corticoids (methylprednisolone)³. Early diagnosis, surgical or nonsurgical recovery of the fracture, and adequate supportive treatment are essential factors for management of FES with low mortality rates¹⁰-¹⁴.

The use of corticosteroids is described in orthopedic articles on fractures of long bone as an important means of prophylaxis for fat embolism¹⁵. Corticoids increase the stability of the cellular/alveolar membrane, reducing the pulmonary inflammatory process, and offer a reduction in the rate of fat embolism events up to 24%. Despite good evidence and recommendations for the use of corticoids, their use still not accepted or routinely adopted in orthopedic services⁵-¹⁶.

CONCLUSION

In summary, the methods for preventing fat embolism in plastic surgery are:

• - Superwet or tumescent technique,

• - Maintain adequate hydration intra and postoperative,

• - Reduce surgical time,

• - Avoid multiple procedures at a single time,

• - Perform more conservative lipectomy with fewer treated areas,

• - Understand that lipofilling increases the risk of FES, and

• - What about the use of corticoids prior to lipofilling? A question to be considered...

REFERÊNCIAS

• ¹
  Akhtar S. Fat embolism. Anesthesiol Clin. 2009;27(3):533-50. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anclin.2009.07.018
  » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anclin.2009.07.018
• ²
  Costa AN, Mendes DM, Toufen C, Arrunátegui G, Caruso P, de Carvalho CR. Adult respiratory distress syndrome due to fat embolism in the postoperative period following liposuction and fat grafting. J Bras Pneumol. 2008;34(8):622-5.
• ³
  Mellor A, Soni N. Fat embolism. Anaesthesia. 2001;56(2):145-54. PMID: 11167474 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2044.2001.01724.x
  » http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2044.2001.01724.x
• ⁴
  Eriksson EA, Pellegrini DC, Vanderkolk WE, Minshall CT, Fakhry SM, Cohle SD. Incidence of pulmonary fat embolism at autopsy: an undiagnosed epidemic. J Trauma. 2011;71(2):312-5. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/TA.0b013e3182208280
  » http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/TA.0b013e3182208280
• ⁵
  Giannoudis PV, Tzioupis C, Pape HC. Fat embolism: the reaming controversy. Injury. 2006;37 Suppl 4:S50-8. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2006.08.040
  » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2006.08.040
• ⁶
  Talbot M, Schemitsch EH. Fat embolism syndrome: history, definition, epidemiology. Injury. 2006;37 Suppl 4:S3-7. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2006.08.035
  » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2006.08.035
• ⁷
  Habashi NM, Andrews PL, Scalea TM. Therapeutic aspects of fat embolism syndrome. Injury. 2006;37 Suppl 4:S68-73. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2006.08.042
  » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2006.08.042
• ⁸
  Franco FF, Tincani AJ, Meirelles LR, Kharmandayan P, Guidi MC. Occurrence of fat embolism after liposuction surgery with or without lipografting: an experimental study. Ann Plast Surg. 2011;67(2):101-5. PMID: 21301303 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/SAP.0b013e3181fe32b6
  » http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/SAP.0b013e3181fe32b6
• ⁹
  Zeidman M, Durand P, Kundu N, Doumit G. Fat embolism after liposuction in Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. J Craniofac Surg. 2013;24(4):1319-21. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/SCS.0b013e3182953a63
  » http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/SCS.0b013e3182953a63
• ¹⁰
  Taviloglu K, Yanar H. Fat embolism syndrome. Surg Today. 2007;37(1):5-8. PMID: 17186337 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00595-006-3307-5
  » http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00595-006-3307-5
• ¹¹
  Panteli M, Lampropoulos A, Giannoudis PV. Fat embolism following pelvic injuries: a subclinical event or an increased risk of mortality? Injury. 2014;45(4):645-6. PMID: 24315483
• ¹²
  Alho A. Clinical manifestations of fat embolism syndrome. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 1978;92(2-3):153-8. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00397952
  » http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00397952
• ¹³
  Wang AZ, Ma QX, Zhao HJ, Zhou QH, Jiang W, Sun JZ. A comparative study of the mortality rate of rats receiving a half lethal dose of fat intravenously: under general anaesthesia versus under spinal anaesthesia. Injury. 2012;43(3):311-4. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2011.08.022
  » http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2011.08.022
• ¹⁴
  Felzemburgh VA, Barbosa RC, Nunes VL, Campos JH. Fat embolism in liposuction and intramuscular grafts in rabbits. Acta Cir Bras. 2012;27(5):289-93. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-86502012000500002
  » http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-86502012000500002
• ¹⁵
  Fourme T, Vieillard-Baron A, Loubières Y, Julié C, Page B, Jardin F. Early fat embolism after liposuction. Anesthesiology. 1998;89(3):782-4. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00000542-199809000-00031
  » http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00000542-199809000-00031
• ¹⁶
  Filomeno LTB, Carelli CR, Silva NCLF, Barros Filho TEP, Amatuzzi MM. Embolia gordurosa: uma revisão para a prática ortopédica atual. Acta Ortop Bras. 2005;13(4):196-208. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-78522005000400010
  » http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-78522005000400010

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  29 May 2023
• Date of issue
  2016

History

• Received
  12 Feb 2015
• Accepted
  10 Apr 2016