TABLE 1 - uploaded by Junaid Ahmad
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Source publication
Objective
The aim of this study was to analyze retrospectively the earthquake-induced injuries caused by the October 2015 Hindu Kush earthquake in Pakistan. This is the first population-based study to assess epidemiologically earthquake-induced injuries in the Hindu Kush region, one of the world’s most mountainous and seismically active regions. Un...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... were able to track and collect data from 346 of these injured people. The analysis revealed that 47.97% were females and 52.03% were males (Table 1). Table 1 shows the demographic characteristics of the injured. ...
Citations
... Nations that learn from the experiences of major disasters and plan earthquake management well will cope better with the next disaster. Japan, Iran, Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Turkey can be considered as the countries that have experienced major earthquake disasters (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). Presenting reports based on the experiences of these earthquake-affected areas, conducting descriptive studies, revealing the deficiencies of rescue operation and analyzing the types of patients' profiles, characteristics of injuries, and their treatment approaches will help preliminary preparation and planning for future earthquakes. ...
... During the acute period after the earthquake, superficial injuries, open and closed fractures, open wounds due to high-energy trauma, compression-related compartment syndrome, crush injuries and compartment syndrome, vascular damage, shock, dislocation, and patients with multiple trauma are encountered in earthquake victims. In the acute period, some patients underwent orthopedic interventions such as amputation surgery, fasciotomy, tendon and soft tissue repair, neurovascular repair, debridement, fracture reduction, and fixation (4,8). Some of the injuries were accompanied by infections. ...
... Identifying the profiles of these individuals at an early stage and determining their needs in the short and long term should be among the rehabilitation goals. The rehabilitation approach to these people aims to provide functional recovery with early intervention, minimize complications, and physical and psychological disability, and reintegrate the person into society (3,4,7,16,17). ...
Devastating earthquake disasters are experienced all over the world. On February 6, 2023, two major earthquakes with magnitudes of Mw 7.7 and 7.6, respectively, occurred centered in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. It resulted in at least 50,783 deaths and more than 122,000 injuries according to official data. Defining the post-earthquake experiences and earthquake risk assessment well and identifying the deficiencies will guide the coordination, management, and planning of subsequent disasters. In this study, the rehabilitation approaches of earthquake victims with physical injuries in our rehabilitation center are emphasized and the situations that will be encountered in the immediate, intermediate, and long-term periods after the earthquake are summarized.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment management and demographic data of earthquake victims admitted to Plastic Surgery Department of our center after the 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake.
Patients and methods:
Between February 6th, 2023 and February 15th, 2023, a total of 120 patients (65 males, 55 females; mean age: 36.3±17.3 years; range, 85 to 88 years) who were consulted to the Plastic Surgery Department of our center were included. Demographic data of the patients, time to admission to the emergency room, removal time under the rubble, type of injury, emergency operation requirement, fasciotomy requirement, hyperbaric oxygen therapy administration, and length of stay in the intensive care unit were evaluated. After the first intervention, patients with compartment syndrome underwent emergency fasciotomy immediately. Perioperative laboratory values of the patients were followed closely to prevent the development of crush syndrome.
Results:
Due to stay under the rubble, upper extremity soft tissue injury was seen in 46.2% of the patients. The pelvic and abdominal region were the least affected soft tissues in 1.7% patients. Fasciotomy was performed in 75 patients who stayed under the rubble. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was applied to 21 of 75 patients who underwent fasciotomy. Amputation was performed in four patients, three of which were in the upper extremity and one in the lower extremity, during follow-up after fasciotomy. A total of 10.83% of the patients were treated conservatively and 11.67% of them were reconstructed with free flaps. Totally 7.5% of the patients who stayed under the rubble were hospitalized in our clinic for maxillofacial injuries. A total of 66.6% of these patients were treated surgically, while 33.3% of them were further treated conservatively.
Conclusion:
Proper triage, proper fasciotomy, and appropriate surgical interventions reduce the amputation rate, yielding clinically satisfactory results.
