Citation

Lindeque BG, Schoeman HS, Dommisse GF, Boeyens MC, Vlok AL. J. Bone Joint Surg. Br. 1987; 69(1): 128-131.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3818718

Abstract

Fifty-five adults who had sustained a tibial fracture, or a femoral fracture, or both, were subjected to a double-blind randomised study to determine the efficacy of methylprednisolone in treating the fat embolism syndrome. This drug maintained arterial oxygen levels, stabilised or reduced the serum level of free fatty acids, and decreased the risk of the fat embolism syndrome in a statistically significant proportion of patients. Gurd's criteria for the diagnosis of the fat embolism syndrome were found inadequate. Other more sensitive criteria for early diagnosis and effective management were determined. There were no deaths or serious morbidity in our series.

Language: en