Intraoperative pulmonary tumor embolism after hepatectomy for liver carcinoma.

Intraoperative pulmonary tumor embolism occurred during right hepatectomy for primary hepatic carcinoma. The tumor embolus produced abrupt arterial hypotension, tachycardia, an increased central venous pressure, intense cyanosis, followed by cardiac arrest. Pulmonary tumor embolism resulting from hepatic tumors is rare and has not been reported to have occurred intraoperatively. When tumor thrombosis has been detected or suspected, hepatic vascular exclusion should be considered for the prevention of intraoperative embolism.