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

Abstract

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.