Meta-Analysis of Corticosteroids in Long Bone Fracture (Can J Surg, 2009) [MEDLINE]: corticosteroids may be beneficial in preventing fat embolism and hypoxemia in long bone fracture -> however, data quality is poor
Recommendations
Corticosteroid Use is Controversial
Treatment
Supportive Care
Treatments without Defined Clinical Benefit
Ethanol
Heparin
Surgical Care
Early Fracture Fixation: decreases risk of fat embolism
References
Do corticosteroids reduce the risk of fat embolism syndrome in patients with long-bone fractures? A meta-analysis. Can J Surg 2009; 52:386-393 [MEDLINE]