PULMONARY-EMBOLISM FOLLOWING LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY - REPORT OF2 CASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Laparoscopic abdominal surgery is considered a low-risk procedure for postoperative thromboembolic disease. We report two cases of pulmonary embolism following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, review the incidence of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in laparoscopic chol ecystectomy, and suggest a specific prophylactic scheme for patients u ndergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In spite of the low incidence of postoperative thromboembolic disease following minimally invasive p rocedures, the risk of pulmonary embolism must not be underestimated a nd its symptoms must not be underdiagnosed.