Fat embolism in patients with multiple injuries.

The diagnostic criteria of clinical fat embolism syndrome are most important. Petechial rush, positive chest X-ray films, low arterial oxygen content, and cerebral involvement are major features. Three different grades of fat embolism can be distinguished. The development of the first grade cannot be prevented. By early internal fixation of long-bone fractures in patients with multiple injuries it may be possible in most cases to prevent the development of the third grade, the severe clinical fat embolism syndrome. Thus specific treatment because of fat embolism was indicated in only three cases in this series of 211 patients with broken long bones and multiple injuries.