[Fat embolism; a survey (author's transl)].

As far as diagnostics, prophylaxis and therapy are concerned, this clinical entity has not lost its acuteness. However it can no longer be considered only as a mechanical problem (impression of fat corpuscles out of the broken bone into the capillaries), instead it has to be regarded as an epiphenomenon of shock in combination with the respiratory distress syndrome and disorders of the microcirculation. A successful anti-shock regimen including effective stabilisation of fractures are at present the best means to prevent fat embolism. The effect of medicaments after manifestation of fat embolism is dubious.