Earthquake-Related Admissions to a Trauma Center Located 1,100 Kilometers from the Epicenter: Kahramanmaras (2023)

Aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic characteristics, injury patterns, emergency department resource use, and intervention requirements of patients who presented to a tertiary hospital following the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaras on February 6, 2023. These earthquakes, among the deadliest in the region's recent history, caused widespread destruction and placed unprecedented strain on health care systems. In this retrospectively planned study, 134 patients diagnosed with trauma-related injuries who presented to the emergency department within the first 7 days following the earthquakes were analyzed. The patients were categorized into two groups: severe injury (cases requiring major surgery or intensive care or resulting in mortality) and minor injury. Demographic data, injury mechanisms, imaging usage, interventions, and clinical outcomes were compared. Of the patients, 11.9% (n = 16) were in the severe injury group. These patients were of older age (mean 50.1 ± 12.4 years) and more frequently underwent imaging (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) and required surgical interventions and intensive care (p < 0.05). The most common causes of injury were being trapped under rubble and falls from height. While 85.1% of patients arrived by their own means, severe injuries were still present in this group. Intensive use of imaging, surgical consultations, and interventions in the emergency department were recorded. The mortality rate was 1.5%. In disasters such as earthquakes, advanced health services, with trauma surgery at the core, must be supported not only by local responses but also by comprehensive referral and coordination systems that are preestablished both regionally and nationally.