An overview of the orthopedic patient profile in the first five days following February 6th , 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake: A single-center experience in the earthquake zone


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AKKAYA M., Oktem U., TOLUNAY T., Ocak M., Yolacan D. S., Gürler A., ...More

Joint diseases and related surgery, vol.34, no.2, pp.503-508, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 34 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.52312/jdrs.2023.1113
  • Journal Name: Joint diseases and related surgery
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.503-508
  • Gazi University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the patient profile at a medium-volume hospital located in the earthquake zone among patients who received orthopedic treatment within the first five days after the natural disaster that was considered a major earthquake. Patients and methods: Between February 6 th , 2023 and February 10 th , 2023, a total of 338 patients (156 males, 182 females; mean age: 42.2±9.7 years; range, 0 to 87 years) who received orthopedic treatment in our center were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into four groups according to age as follows: infants (younger than one year of age), children (one to 13 years), adults (14 to 59 years), and elderly (60 years or older). Results: Considering the age distribution, 291 (86%) patients were young adults. A total of 173 orthopedic surgeries were performed, including internal fixation in 63 patients, external fixation in 11 patients, upper/lower extremity fasciotomy in 47 patients, amputation in 39 patients, and soft tissue debridement in 13 patients. Conclusion: It is of utmost importance to recognize the principles of emergency fracture fixation and fasciotomy to successfully perform orthopedic surgeries after a natural disaster such as a major earthquake, particularly when the number of earthquake victims is considerably high.