Absence of formal hypotheses leaves scientific production vulnerable when put under epistemological discussion. Conclusions from scientific articles are often confounded with common-sense statements. Quantitative research is suggested, for studying the frequency of occurrence of these dubious methodological points.

The use of corticosteroid for the prophylaxis of fat embolism syndrome in patients with long bone fracture TBE-CITE TBE-CITE TBE-CITE TBE-CITE TBE-CITEThe use of corticosteroid for the prophylaxis of fat embolism The use of corticosteroid for the prophylaxis of fat embolism The use of corticosteroid for the prophylaxis of fat embolism The use of corticosteroid for the prophylaxis of fat embolism The use of corticosteroid for the prophylaxis of fat embolism syndrome in patients with long bone fracture syndrome in patients with long bone fracture syndrome in patients with long bone fracture syndrome in patients with long bone fracture syndrome in patients with long bone fracture Uso de corticoide na profilaxia para síndrome de embolia gordurosa em Uso de corticoide na profilaxia para síndrome de embolia gordurosa em Uso de corticoide na profilaxia para síndrome de embolia gordurosa em Uso de corticoide na profilaxia para síndrome de embolia gordurosa em Uso de corticoide na profilaxia para síndrome de embolia gordurosa em pacientes pacientes pacientes pacientes pacientes com fratura de osso longo com fratura de osso longo com fratura de osso longo com fratura de osso longo com fratura de osso longo The "Evidence-based Telemedicine -Trauma & Acute Care Surgery" (EBT-TACS) Journal Club conducted a critical review of the literature and selected three recent studies on the use of corticosteroids for the prophylaxis of fat embolism syndrome (FES). The review focused on the potential role of corticosteroids administration to patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at risk of developing post-traumatic fat embolism. The first study was prospective and aimed at identifying reliable predictors, which could be detected early and were associated with the onset of fat embolism syndrome in trauma patients. The second manuscript was a literature review on the role of corticosteroids as a prophylactic measure for FES. The last manuscript was a meta-analysis on the potential for corticosteroids to prophylactically reduce the risk of fat embolism syndrome in patients with long bone fractures. The main conclusions and recommendations reached were that traumatized patients should be monitored with non-invasive pulse oximetry and lactate levels since these commonly-available tests may predict the development of FES, and the lack of evidence to recommend the use of steroids for the prophylaxis of this syndrome.