Abstract
The "Evidence-based Telemedicine - Trauma & Acute Care Surgery" (EBT-TACS) Journal Club conducted a critical review of the literature and selected three recent studies on the use of corticosteroids for the prophylaxis of fat embolism syndrome. The review focused on the potential role of corticosteroids administration to patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at risk of developing post-traumatic fat embolism. The first study was prospective and aimed at identifying reliable predictors, which occurred early and were associated with the onset of fat embolism syndrome in trauma patients. The second manuscript was a literature review of the role of corticosteroids as a prophylactic measure for fat embolism syndrome (FES). The last manuscript was a meta-analysis on the potential for corticosteroids to prophylactically reduce the risk of fat embolism syndrome in patients with long bone fractures. The main conclusions and recommendations reached were that traumatized patients should be monitored with non-invasive pulse oximetry and lactate levels since these factors may predict the development of FES, and that there is not enough evidence to recommend the use of steroids for the prophylaxis of this syndrome.
Highlights
Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is common in patients with long bone fractures and can be fatal
FES is a serious condition in trauma patients with fractures of the lower limbs, and it is not yet clear whether corticosteroids should be used as a prophylactic measure for this syndrome
Question Based on available studies, is there evidence that the use of corticosteroids in trauma patients with long bone fractures reduces the risk of FES?
Summary
Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is common in patients with long bone fractures and can be fatal. Delayed diagnosis of this syndrome increases the risk of devastating consequences[1,2,3,4]. For this reason FES should be considered and treated early 5. The use of corticosteroids in FES has been proposed in numerous small clinical trials, but its recommendation remains controversial[1]. “Early, reliable, utilitarian predictive factors for fat embolism syndrome in polytrauma patients”[1]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
