Lattakia Earthquake 2023: orthopedic injuries and analysis of pelvic fractures (two years follow up).

Abstract

This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate musculoskeletal injuries, clinical follow-ups and treatments of trauma patients admitted to our hospital after the 2023 Lattakia earthquakes and to analyze pelvic ring and acetabulum injuries. A total of 468 patients were admitted to our hospital. Of them, 235 who did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded and a total of 233 trauma patients (113 males, 120 females; mean age: 32.2 ± 20.3 years; range, 6 to 94 years) affected by the earthquake were recruited. Age, sex, presence of orthopedic consultation, diagnosis of open/closed fracture, diagnosis of dislocation, presence of soft tissue injury, additional systemic injuries, neurovascular examination status, presence of compartment syndrome, conservative/surgical interventions. The mean age of the patients was 32.2 ± 20.3 years. 120 were female, and 113 were male. In 13 patients, musculoskeletal injuries with additional system injuries were observed and evaluated as multiple injuries. In 15 patients, fractures were observed in more than one region and were evaluated as multi-trauma. 53 % had soft tissue injuries, 33.4 % had closed fractures, 6.4 % had other system injuries, 3.8 % had crush injuries, 2.1 % had nerve injuries, 0.8 % had compartment syndrome, 2.5 % had vascular injury, 2.1 % had dislocation, and 5.5 % had an open fracture. The most common injuries due to high-energy trauma are isolated soft tissue injuries and fractures. The definition of the demographic characteristics and clinical outcomes of earthquake patients is critical to the development of preparedness, response, and recovery policies for future disasters.