title: Analyzing fat embolism syndrome in trauma patients at AIIMS Apex Trauma Center, New Delhi, India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a constellation of symptoms and signs subsequent to orthopedic trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical profile of FES in the trauma population was studied over 2 years and 8 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of FES among all patients with long bone and pelvic fractures was 0.7% (12). The mean injury severity score was 10.37 (SD 1.69) (range 9-14). The diagnosis of FES was made by clinical and laboratory criteria. Hypoxia was the commonest presentation (92%). The average days of onset of symptoms were 3.5 (SD1.29) days. Management included ventilator support in 75%, average ventilator days being 7.8 (SD 4.08) days. The average ICU stay and hospital stay were 9.1 days and 29.7 days, respectively. A mortality of 8.3% (1) was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fat embolism remains a diagnosis of exclusion and is a clinical dilemma. Clinically apparent FES is unusual and needs high index of suspicion, especially in long bone and pelvic fractures.
authors: Department of Anesthesia, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
authors: Babita
authors: B
authors: Gupta
authors: Nita
authors: N
authors: D'souza
authors: Chhavi
authors: C
authors: Sawhney
authors: Kamran
authors: K
authors: Farooque
authors: Ajeet
authors: A
authors: Kumar
authors: Pramendra
authors: P
authors: Agrawal
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: Misra