[Fundamentals of comprehensive prevention of the post-traumatic fat embolism syndrome]

Abstract

Urgent top standard provisions implemented as soon as possible after serious injuries with the aim to prevent the development of shock or treat incipient and developing shock are among the most important aspects of prophylaxis of the traumatic fat embolism syndrome (FE). These provisions comprise quantitative and qualitative replacement of blood losses, prevention of spasms of the peripheral blood vessels, restoration of the microcirculation, maintenance of the acid-base equilibrium and a normal state of coagulation, normalization of fluctuations of the post-traumatic metabolic and humoral response, blocking of pathological impulses from the site of the fracture incl. settling of the long bones; suppression of hypoxia, in particular also by artificial pulmonary ventilation; a high caloric intake to prevent excessive development of lipolysis. Surgical operations with the exception of urgent ones which form part of urgent intensive care must be postponed to the time when clinical manifestations of traumatic shock have completely subsided. The group of comprehensive prophylactic provisions comprises also pharmacological measures/drugs and substances which influence the pathogenetic basis associated with the genesis and development of the FE syndrome and the more general syndrome of post-traumatic dyslipidaemic coagulopathy resp.