A medical approach to the 2020 Elazig earthquake

Abstract

Objective: Besides their direct effects, earthquakes may cause death by Crush syndrome and renal factors. In this study we aimed to evaluate the medical results of 2020 Elazig earthquake. Methods: We obtained the medical data from the National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) and hospital records. Results: There were 1063 injured, 45 victims who were pulled out from the rubble and 41 deaths due to 2020 Elazig earthquake. Of the hospitalized patients 33% were treated with Crush/ compartment syndrome diagnosis. Conclusion: Catastrophic effects and collapsing buildings due to earthquakes, threat human life. In Elazig earthquake, none of the 48 hospitalized patients required dialysis probably due to early treatment and transfer to the hospital. Renal care and treatment such as fluid replacement, dialysis are as important as traumatological services in earthquakes in terms of increasing survival.