Fat embolism syndrome in blunt trauma patients with extremity fractures

OBJECTIVE:This study sought to provide a national, descriptive analysis to determine fat embolism syndrome (FES) risk factors, hypothesizing that femur fractures and multiple fractures are associated with an increased risk. METHODS:The Trauma Quality Improvement Program was queried (2010-2016) for patients with extremity fractures. A multivariable logistic regression analysis model was used. RESULTS:From 324,165 patients, 116 patients (0.04%) were diagnosed with FES. An age ≤30, closed femur fracture, and multiple long bone fractures were associated with an increased risk of FES. CONCLUSION:Future research to validate these findings and develop a clinical risk stratification tool appears warranted.