THE EXPERIENCE OF ULUDAG UNIVERSITY IN 17 AUGUST EARTHQUAKE

Abstract

This study describes the experience of our hospital situated close to the earthquake region. Were viewed the medical records of 665 earthquake victims admitted to our hospital and analysed the injury sites, operative procedures, complications and mortality. The most frequent injury sites were crush injury (118 patients) and limp fractures (53 patients). Fasiotomy was performed on 118 patients. The overall mortality rate was 7.6% (51/665). Documented surgical infection rate was 9.9% (66 patients),60 patients (9%) required dialysis for acute renal failure and the mortality rate in this group was 35% (21patients). Infection and acute renal failure due to crush injury were the two most important causes of morbidity and mortality in earthquake victims. A multidisciplinary but integrated approach is the key to decrease morbidity and mortality in these patients.