• Kenta Momii, Yuji Shono, Kanji Osaki, Yoshinori Nakanishi, Takeshi Iyonaga, Masaaki Nishihara, Tomohiko Akahoshi, and Yasuharu Nakashima.
• Emergency and Critical Care Center.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2021 Feb 26; 100 (8): e24929e24929.

IntroductionFat embolism syndrome (FES) is a known complication of long bone fracture and can affect multiple organs. The organ most commonly affected with FES is the lung. Severe cases of FES from long bone fracture can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Although the treatment of ARDS remains challenging, it is reported that a lung protection strategy and prone positioning are effective. In addition, early fixation is reported to be beneficial in respiratory failure due to FES, though it may exacerbate respiratory failure during the perioperative period. We report the use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) for the successful perioperative management of a patient diagnosed with ARDS due to FES.Patient ConcernsA 24-year-old man injured in a traffic accident was brought to our emergency department due to shock and consciousness disorder.DiagnosisAfter examining the patient, we noted bilateral pneumothorax, liver and spleen injuries, and multiple long bone fractures. Four days after admission, he was diagnosed with FES due to a prolonged consciousness disorder, progressive hypoxia with diffuse lung damage, and cutaneous and mucosal petechiae.InterventionAs respiratory failure progressed, VV-ECMO was initiated on the 6th day. To improve the respiratory failure caused by ARDS, prone position therapy was necessary. Thus, we performed osteosynthesis on the 9th day under ECMO. Prone position therapy was started after surgery.OutcomesSubsequently, his respiratory condition and chest radiographs improved steadily. VV-ECMO was discontinued on the 17th day and the ventilator was removed on the 28th day. His consciousness levels improved without residual central nervous system complications.ConclusionOur study reveals the successful improvement of FES-induced ARDS by osteosynthesis and prone positioning under VV-ECMO. This strategy prioritizes supportive treatment over pharmacologic interventions.Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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