Pulmonary embolism and medical negligence: a case report

Pulmonary embolism, although a known and primary cause of sudden unexpected hospital deaths in lower limb and other trauma cases, can lead to the allegations of medical negligence against the hospital authorities. The autopsy dissection, documentation, and ancillary studies pertaining to pulmonary emboli are important components of evaluating such fatalities. The detection of a saddle embolism at autopsy does not signify the end of the investigation because the underlying risk factors still may need to be determined. Proper diagnosis of such complication by meticulous post-mortem and histopathological examination, can explain the unexpected nature of such type of cause of death and save the operating surgeon and anesthetist from embarrassing allegations of medical negligence.