- It is a systemic manifestation of fat emboli in the circulation seen mostly after long bone fractures
- Triad of findings: hypoxia, confusion, and petechia.
- Young obese males more affected especially following femur shaft fracture
- The fat cells exhibit inflammatory properties that leads to ARDS
- Gurds and Wilsons criteria is used to diagnose FES
- Chest X ray reveals snow storm appearance
- Splinting of long bone fractures in closed injuries/ ex-fix in open fractures to be done at the earliest to decrease the incidence FES.
- FES can occur even after fracture fixation, hence screening is advised.
- Mechanical ventilation and symptomatic treatment is the mainstay of management.
