<b>Fat embolism syndrome in femoral shaft fractures: does the initial treatment make a difference?</b>

This is a retrospective study involving a total of 272 patients diagnosed with femoral shaft fractures. Of the patients, 14% were kept at rest until the surgical treatment, 52% underwent external fixation, 10% received immediate definitive treatment, and 23% remained in skeletal traction (23%) until definitive treatment.

Results:

There were six cases of fat embolism syndrome (FES), which showed that , polytrauma is the main risk factor for its development and that initial therapy was not important.

Conclusion:

Polytrauma patients have a greater chance of developing FES and there was no influence from the initial treatment.

Keywords:
Femoral fractures; Fracture fixation; Multiple trauma; Fat embolism

Initial treatment	n	%
Rest	39	14.3
External fixation	144	52.9
Definitive	27	9.9
Skeletal traction	62	22.8

Age group	n	%
16–30 years	172	63.2
31–40 years	48	17.6
41–50 years	19	7.0
51–60 years	10	3.7
Over 61 years	23	8.5

Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia Al. Lorena, 427 14º andar, 01424-000 São Paulo - SP - Brasil, Tel.: 55 11 2137-5400 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: rbo@sbot.org.br

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[1] ^*Corresponding author. E-mail: janioalves@gmail.com (J.J. Silva).

Brasil

Brasil

Fat embolism syndrome in femoral shaft fractures: does the initial treatment make a difference? ☆ ☆ Paper developed at Santa Casa de São Paulo, Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Grupo de Cirurgia do Trauma, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

ABSTRACT

Objective:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusion:

Fat embolism syndrome in femoral shaft fractures: does the initial treatment make a difference? ^☆ ☆ Paper developed at Santa Casa de São Paulo, Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Grupo de Cirurgia do Trauma, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.