Resuscitation Using Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Fat Embolism Syndrome-A Case Report and Literature Review

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a rare fatal complication. The treatment of FES is mainly supportive. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is currently being used in ICUs worldwide for respiratory failure, but rarely for ARDS associated with FES. We report the case of a 15-year-old male with close fractures of the left clavicle, right humerus and femur, and who developed ARDS associated with FES 3 days after the fracture. The patient remained profoundly hypoxic despite ventilatory support and veno-venous ECMO. After 1 week of resuscitation using ECMO, his oxygenation improved and the patient was discharged from the hospital in good condition.