1. Adolescent Fat Embolism Syndrome after Closed Tibial Shaft Fracture: Treatment with Emergent External Fixation
- Author
-
Christopher A Makarewich, Graham J. DeKeyser, Dillon C. O’Neill, and Alexander J. Mortensen
- Subjects
Orthopedic surgery ,030222 orthopedics ,medicine.medical_specialty ,External fixator ,business.industry ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Case Report ,General Medicine ,Fracture treatment ,law.invention ,Surgery ,Intramedullary rod ,03 medical and health sciences ,Fixation (surgical) ,External fixation ,0302 clinical medicine ,law ,Fat embolism syndrome ,Medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,business ,RD701-811 - Abstract
Case. An adolescent male developed fat embolism syndrome 24 hours after sustaining a closed right tibial shaft fracture in a football game. The patient was treated with emergent external fixator application due to declining respiratory and mental status and experienced swift recovery after stabilization. He was treated with an intramedullary nail within 1 week of injury. Conclusion. Pediatric fat embolism syndrome is uncommon, and a high index of suspicion is required to facilitate appropriate orthopaedic involvement. External fixation can be performed emergently with minimal fracture manipulation. Rapid provisional fixation appears to have facilitated recovery in this example.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF