Thoracic Trauma Experiences of Local Thoracic Surgeons Working in Kahramanmaraş During the Early Period of the Earthquake

ABSTRACT Introduction: Our city received a double blow with two consecutive earthquakes that occurred in our city on February 6, 2023. Objective: In this study, we aimed to examine our medical interventions and convey the difficulties encountered in the acute phase of the earthquake. Methods: One hundred fifty one individuals who suffered chest trauma were included in the study. The cohort consisted of earthquake victims who presented to our emergency department with chest injuries within the first seven days, excluding the first 24 hours, after the earthquake. We recorded various parameters such as age, gender, types. Chest injuries, number of ribs, sternum fractures, hemothorax, pneumothorax, lung contusions, lung lacerations, crusting in the main respiratory tract and atelectasis due to foreign objects, additional organ injuries, first interventions, length of hospital stay, need for intensive care, death and morbidity rates. and out-of-province shipments. Results: We recorded 151 earthquake victims with thoracic injuries, comprising 79 (52.3%) women and 72 (47.7%) men. Among these cases, lung contusions were observed in 120 (79.5%), rib fractures in 106 (70.2%), pneumothorax in 47 (31.1%), hemothorax in 39 (25.8%), and pneumomediastinum in 33 (21.9%). Conclusion: In scenarios where access to imaging services is not possible, thoracic surgeons must rely on physical examination and thoracentesis to guide their interventions. Teams should organize their work according to workload, designate a safe area for thoracic surgery interventions, and ensure that all necessary equipment is available. Keywords: Earthquake, Chest Trauma, Hemothorax, Pneumothorax, Lung Contusion.