Background: Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a potentially lethal condition most commonly seen in polytrauma patients with multiple long­bone fractures. Treatment has centered on supportive care and early fracture fixation. Several small clinical trials have suggested corticosteroids benefit patients with FES, but this treatment remains controversial. Our objective was to determine the effect of corticosteroids on hemodynamic changes with respect to FES in patients with long­bone fractures. Methods: Forty four adults, who had sustained a tibia fracture, or a femoral fracture, were subjected to a double­blind randomized study to determine the effect of intra venous methylprednisolone in comparison with placebo on hemodynamic changes with respect to the development of the fat embolism syndrome. A Lindeque2 s criterion for the diagnosis of the fat embolism syndrome was used. Results: Post operatively there was significant decrease in the heart rate in methylprednisolone group of patients compared with placebo group. Other parameters like systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) did not show any significant results. Conclusion: Prophylactic corticosteroids can be used to prevent changes in vital parameters/ hemodynamic and to manage development of fat embolism syndrome. 

Keywords: Fat embolism syndrome; Hemodynamics; Polytrauma .