Analysis of Patients Admitted to the Orthopedic Clinic from the Emergency Department

Objective: Trauma cases have an important place among patients admitted to the emergency department (ED). Orthopedics and traumatology clinic is among the most frequently consulted and hospitalized departments. In this study, we analyzed the patients admitted to the orthopedics clinic from the ED. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to the ward or intensive care unit (ICU) on behalf of the orthopedics clinic from the ED of a second-level state hospital between 01.01.2022 and 31.12.2022. Patient data were accessed through hospital electronic data. Age, gender, time of admission, forensic status, type of trauma, traumatic lesions, femoral neck fractures, length of hospitalization and mortality were analyzed. Results: Of the patients 50.4% were male. The most common presentation was in summer months and during working hours. Of the patients 17.6% were forensic cases. Forensic cases were more common in the young adult age group and in males. The mean age of the patients was 53.2±26.9 years and the most common age range was 61-80 years. Falls and traffic accidents were the most common reasons for admission. The most common hospitalization was due to femur fracture. Femur fractures were most common in males and in the age range of 81-100 years. Lower end of humerus fractures was more common in pediatric age group, tibia fractures in young adult age group and femoral neck fractures in elderly patients. Femoral neck fractures constituted 31.6% of all cases. Of the 8 patients hospitalized in the ICU, 7 were admitted due to femoral neck fractures and all of them (1.5%) died due to complications. Conclusion: The majority of hospitalizations from the ED to the orthopedic clinic are due to bone fractures. It should be kept in mind that femoral neck fractures are more common especially in the elderly and may be mortal.