Turkish Neurosurgery
Analysis of Neurosurgical Injuries and The Lessons Learned After the Catastrophic Double Earthquakes in Turkey
Nuri Eralp Çetinalp1, Ammar Alnageeb1, Araz Aliyev1, Azizli Gurbat1, Kerem Mazhar Özsoy1, Kadir Oktay1, Tahsin Erman1
1Çukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Adana,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.44593-23.3

Aim:Earthquakes are devastating natural disasters that cause mass casualties. Recently, a catastrophic double earthquake-affected ten cities with a population of 15 million in southern and central Turkey. We aimed to identify the patterns and types of neurosurgical injuries sustained by victims of the earthquakes. Patients and Methods: In this descriptive observational study, we retrospectively analyzed the medical records of a university hospital located in one of the ten cities affected by the earthquake. Material and Methods:In this descriptive observational study, we retrospectively analyzed the medical records of a university hospital located in one of the ten cities affected by the earthquake. Results:A total of 1,612 patients with earthquake-related injuries were admitted during the study period, of which 139 (8.6%) had neurosurgical injuries. The mean age of the patients was 42.4 ± 21.1 years (median, 42 years), and 53.2% of them were female. Of the 139 patients with neurosurgical injuries, 41 (29.5%) had craniocerebral injuries, 95 (68.3%) had spinal injuries, and three (2.2%) had both craniocerebral and spinal injuries. A total of 31 surgeries were performed (22.3 %) (five [3.6%] for craniocerebral injuries and 26 [18.7 %] for spinal injuries). Ninety-eight patients (70.5%) had concomitant systemic traumas. The overall mortality rate was 5.75%, with crush syndrome (n = 4, 50%), being the leading cause of death, followed by neurosurgical pathologies (n = 3, 37.5%) and pneumonia with septic shock (n = 1, 12.5 %). Conclusion:Neurosurgical injury is an important cause of post-earthquake mortality and morbidity. To ensure efficient medical rescue and judicious resource allocation, it is essential to recognize the characteristics of earthquake-related neurosurgical injuries. This study provides valuable information regarding the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of neurosurgical injuries in earthquake-affected patients. Our findings highlight the need for prompt diagnosis and management of such injuries, particularly in those with concomitant systemic trauma.

Corresponding author : Nuri Eralp Çetinalp