Postoperative pulmonary embolism. Scheidegger (Schweiz. med. Woch., 1928, No. 4)

According to Scheidegger, this embolism occurred in 20,779 operations in 0.69% of all cases, and in 2/3 of all cases it occurred after operations on the gastrointestinal canal. Cancer appears to be particularly predisposed to embolism. In 2/3 of all cases, death from pulmonary embolism occurred after operations. where microbes gained access to the wound, only 1/3 after aseptic operations. The main source of emboli is the deep veins of the lower extremities, especially the left one; the most frequent time of embolism detection is the third day after surgery.