A clinical analysis of patients undergoing fasciotomy who experienced the 2011 Van earthquake
Gökay Görmeli1, Cemile Görmeli2, Savaş Güner3, Mehmet Ceylan3, Recep Dursun4
1Van Bölge Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Kliniği, Van, Türkiye
2Van Bölge Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Radyoloji Kliniği, Van, Türkiye
3Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Anabilim Dalı, Van, Türkiye
4Van Bölge Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Acil Tıp Kliniği, Van, Türkiye
Keywords: Compartment syndrome; earthquake; fasciotomy.
Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the clinical profile and prognosis of the patients with fasciotomy who were admitted to Van Training and Research Hospital following the 2011 Van earthquake.
Patients and methods: Twenty-one patients (11 males, 10 females; mean age 38.3 years; range 18 to 60 years) who had urgent fasciotomy in our clinic following the earthquake were included. Medical records including demographic data, clinical characteristics and prognostic data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed.
Results: Seven of 21 patients with fasciotomies underwent amputation. Fasciotomy incisions were closed with skingrafting in nine patients and with primary closure in three patients. Eight patients had full range of motion of the joint, while four patients had restricted range of motion of the joint and needed rehabilitation. Two patients had sensory loss.
Conclusion: Compartment syndrome is one of the serious problems after the Van earthquake. The infection ratio was low, while the amputation ratio was high. The use of anticoagulants following compartment syndrome worsens the clinical presentation, increasing the intracompartmental pressure.