Air Embolism Occurring During Mastectomy: Report of a Fatal Case

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Abstract
The low incidence of air embolism following surgery about the neck or shoulders is emphasized by reporting a fatal case during a radical mastectomy. Autopsy revealed air embolism in the right atrium, coronary, mesenteric, and internal mammary arteries. Venous and arterial air embolism are discussed. Barring anatomic anomalies, it is the venous type which may occur in surgery about the neck or shoulders. The patient presented a potency of the interatrial septum, accounting for the arterial emboli and death.

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