Orthopedic trauma management in pediatric earthquake victims: a single-center experience from the 2023 Türkiye disaster

Abstract

Purpose: The Kahramanmaraş earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023, caused significant destruction and resulted in a high incidence of pediatric injuries, especially musculoskeletal pathologies. This study aims to contribute to an effective health service model that will meet the special needs of children in natural disasters by identifying the frequency and variety of trauma and musculoskeletal pathologies observed in children following the Kahramanmaraş earthquake, as well as the treatment methods implemented for these injuries. Methods: In this study, 135 pediatric patients who were admitted to the hospital within the first three days after the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquake were analyzed retrospectively. The study examined the demographic characteristics of the patients (age, gender), types of injuries (musculoskeletal injuries, soft tissue traumas, etc.), and surgical procedures performed. Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests were used for data analysis. The statistical significance level was accepted as 5% (p < 0.05). Results: The median age was 12 years (IQR: 8, 15), with females constituting 62.2%. The most prevalent injuries included vertebral fractures (14.1%), lower extremity amputations (9.6%), and fasciotomies (52.6%). Age and injury type distribution significantly varied across intervention groups, with older patients more likely to undergo fasciotomy (p < 0.001). Fractures declined over the three-day period, while fasciotomies increased significantly. Conclusion: This study highlights the orthopedic trauma patterns and surgical needs of pediatric patients following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake. The findings underscore the importance of early fasciotomy, amputation preparedness, and effective fracture management in mass casualty care. These findings support the establishment of pediatric-specific triage and surgical protocolsto strengthen future disaster preparedness.