Fat embolism syndrome in isolated femoral fractures: does timing of nailing influence incidence?
In a consecutive series of 274 patients with isolated femoral shaft fractures 11 patients (4%) developed fat embolism syndrome. There were no cases of fat embolism syndrome in patients over the age of 35 years. Of the remaining patients, 60 operated on within 10 h of injury did not develop fat embolism. This left 109 patients who had nailing performed more than 10 h after injury of whom eleven (10%) developed fat embolism syndrome (p < 0.027). Patients under the age of 35 years with isolated femoral fractures should have nailing performed as early as possible after injury to minimize fat embolism syndrome.
Pinney
S J
SJ
Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Canada.
Keating
J F
JF
Meek
R N
RN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001858:Bone Nails; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors