[Pulmonary fat embolism during bipolar hip endoprosthesis].

Two patients had fatal fat pulmonary embolism during bipolar hip endoprosthesis. Two women, 71-year-old and 76-year-old, with femoral neck fracture underwent bipolar hip endoprosthesis under combined lumbar epidural/general anesthesia. Soon after the placement of bone cement and a femoral stem with a bipolar endoprosthesis in the femoral shaft, the patients developed circulatory collapse. Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation did not restore adequate circulation and the patients died 3.5 hours and 1 hour thereafter, respectively. Pathological examination revealed the presence of fat particles within the entire pulmonary arteries, arterioles and capillaries. Main cause of the present pulmonary fat embolism may be an increase in the intramedullary pressure during cement pressurization and femoral stem placement. Anesthetists have to be aware of occurrence of this serious syndrome during bipolar hip endoprosthesis. For earlier detection of this serious complication we recommend to monitor central venous pressure and pulmonary artery pressure in patients undergoing bipolar hip endoprosthesis.