Trauma is tissue damage caused by an extrinsic force. The stress response comprises an activation of neurohumoral and physiologic process that would lead to improved survivability of an untreated organism following a traumatic injury. The sequelae of inadequate pain control following an injury are more than physiological. Chronic neuropathic pain is a frequent sequelae of trauma. Trauma and burn victims usually have poor pain management, because of the fear of hemodynamic alterations and respiratory depression. Early or even preemptive treatment of pain have been shown to reduce analgesic requirements over time. Individual patients will have widely variant requirements for pain medications, so induction of analgesia must be carefully adjusted, ideally in a closely monitored environment. Pharmacotherapy and interventional methods can be used in a wide variety for the management of pain in trauma and burns.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the local and systemic effects of widely available household cleaners, namely 45% nitric acid (NHO3), and 18% hydrochloric acid (HCl), in a rat model.
METHODS: This prospective, experimental, placebo-controlled trial was carried out in the Animal Research Laboratory of Akdeniz University hospital. Commonly available solution of 45% NHO3 and 18% HCl were tested against normal saline. Each solution was administrated orally to groups consisting of ten rats. The metabolic changes were determined by measuring the pH and calcium (Ca) levels before and after the administration of solutions. In addition, the pathological changes and mortality rates were determined for each group.
RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in the post-ingestion (30 minutes later) Ca levels and a decrease in the post-ingestion pH levels after the administration of test solution in the NHO3 (p=0.006 for Ca increase, p=0.001 for pH decrease) and HCl (p=0.007 for Ca increase, p=0.023 for pH decrease) groups. There was also a statistically significant difference between groups for Ca increase (p=0.000) and pH decrease (p=0.006). In post hoc analysis, the difference between the groups was found to be originated from the placebo group. In the pathological evaluation of esophagus and stomach, there was a statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.009 (E) and p=0.016 (S)) and the difference was found to be originated from the control group (p=0.543 (E), p=0.244 (S) for NHO3 and HCl). The 30-minute mortality rates were 0,2 in the NHO3 group, 0,6 in the HCl group and 0 in the control group.
CONCLUSION: Serious metabolic and mild local pathological changes can occur after the ingestion of household NHO3 and HCl solutions. Further studies should be performed to elucidate the causes of death following oral ingestion of these compounds and appropriate public health warnings should be taken.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-dose dopamine on markers of the renal functions in a rat model of hypotension.
METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were divided into control, hypotension, dopamine, and hypotension+dopamine groups. Hypotension was achieved by sodium-nitroprusside infusion. Samples were drawn for analysis during the two-hour study period.
RESULTS: Blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly increased in hypotension group during the early phase but this difference disappeared at the end of the second hour. Dopamine infusion had no effect on creatinine and potassium clearance. Despite the significance of improved sodium clearance in the hypotensive rats treated with dopamine, natriuresis did not occurred in the dopamine-only group.
CONCLUSION: It can be stated that low dose dopamine infusion at a rate of 0.5 µg kg-1 min-1 has a short-term preventive action against the increase of blood urea nitrogen during the early phase of pharmacologically induced hypotension.

BACKGROUND: We have compared the Injury Severity Score (ISS) at admission to Emergency Surgery and Trauma Center (ES&TC) with the ISS during autopsy. Cases with ISS less than 14 (defined as preventable deaths) were evaluated and the results were compared with those in other countries.
METHODS: The study was performed between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2002 at Istanbul Medical Faculty TS&ES and the Turkish Council of Forensic Medicine. The 160 autopsies of trauma deaths which could have been performed within this three year period were evaluated.
RESULTS: The average age of trauma victims in the study was 32,9±15,6 (r=1-79); the majority of victims were males 78,1% (n=125). In four autopsies (3%) ISS were rated as “preventable death” (ISS ≤14). The severely injured (ISS: 16-66) patients with lower survival rates were 96% (n=155). In addition, one case (1%) had an ISS score of 75. In clinical evaluations, ISS scores were found to be between 16-66 (68%), 75 (20%, n=32), and ≤14 (12%; n=19).
CONCLUSION: Although it is widely used, difficulties in the applications of ISS still exist. Alcohol, drug, pregnancy and the presence of underlying diseases are the factors contributing to death but not being reflected by ISS. Moreover a difficulty exists in the evaluation of anatomical injuries which are not accompanied by physiological changes. ISS should be improved according to updates. In this way, evaluation of clinics care quality and standardization of trauma centers can be done more accurrately.
BACKGROUND: We have compared the Injury Severity Score (ISS) at admission to Emergency Surgery and Trauma Center (ES&TC) with the ISS during autopsy. Cases with ISS less than 14 (defined as preventable deaths) were evaluated and the results were compared with those in other countries.
METHODS: The study was performed between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2002 at Istanbul Medical Faculty TS&ES and the Turkish Council of Forensic Medicine. The 160 autopsies of trauma deaths which could have been performed within this three year period were evaluated.
RESULTS: The average age of trauma victims in the study was 32,9±15,6 (r=1-79); the majority of victims were males 78,1% (n=125). In four autopsies (3%) ISS were rated as “preventable death” (ISS ≤14). The severely injured (ISS: 16-66) patients with lower survival rates were 96% (n=155). In addition, one case (1%) had an ISS score of 75. In clinical evaluations, ISS scores were found to be between 16-66 (68%), 75 (20%, n=32), and ≤14 (12%; n=19).
CONCLUSION: Although it is widely used, difficulties in the applications of ISS still exist. Alcohol, drug, pregnancy and the presence of underlying diseases are the factors contributing to death but not being reflected by ISS. Moreover a difficulty exists in the evaluation of anatomical injuries which are not accompanied by physiological changes. ISS should be improved according to updates. In this way, evaluation of clinics care quality and standardization of trauma centers can be done more accurrately.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to define the opinions of 52 emergency physicians working in different ERs in Ankara and participated in the 8th Ankara Emergency Meeting 2005, on resuscitative thoracotomy (RT).
METHODS: A questionnaire form containing 14 questions was designed for the opinions of physicians on RT. Responders filled in the forms through answering the questions by themselves. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test and ANOVA.
RESULTS: The survey concluded three common points: 1. Resuscitative thoracotomy should be performed in the emergency rooms (65,4%), 2. It should be performed by specialists however; it is a procedure which can and should be conducted by every experienced emergency physician easily when the indications are clear (69,23%). 3. Majority of the responders stated that they would like to get a post-education courses on this subject (96,15%).
CONCLUSION: Theoretical and practical policies of our medical education on RT should be revised. Emergency rooms should be equipped for this intervention. Resuscitative thoracotomy should be applied by the experienced people, indications should be clarified well and emergency physicians should be trained on resuscitative thoracotomy by regular post-graduation courses.

BACKGROUND: We herein present the mid-term results of the adult patients with communited intra-articular fractures of the distal radius who were treated by palmar plating.
METHODS: Between 1999 and 2003, open reduction and palmar plating were performed in 23 of the patients who had surgical treatment for comminuted intra-articular fractures of the distal radius. Nineteen patients (11 females, 8 males; mean age 34; range 22 to 54 years) with regular follow-up were included in the study. In the majority of patients only one wrist was involved (7 dominant - 12 nondominant). Preoperative evaluation included patient’s history, physical examination, and radiological studies (plain radiographs, computed tomography). The patients were classified according to AO classification as 7 type B [B1 (1); B2 (3); B3 (3)] and 12 type C [C1 (7); C2 (5)]. The surgical procedure included internal fixation by using plates and screws with palmar approach. Range of motion exercises were started immediately after the operations. The patients were followed clinically and radiographically, with an average follow-up time of 28 months (range, 13-47 months). Complications were recorded.
RESULTS: Union was achieved in all patients. Radiographic parameters including the radial height, radial inclination, palmar tilt, and articular congruency have been corrected in the operation and remained unchanged until the last follow-up. According to the Gartland and Werley’s classification, there were 9 (47%) excellent, 7 (37%) good, and 3 (16%) fair results. No perioperative and postoperative complications were recorded, except for three wound problems and one prolonged scar tenderness.
CONCLUSION: Palmar plating is a safe and effective treatment for comminuted intraarticular fractures of the distal radius, regardless of direction of displacement of the distal fragment.

BACKGROUND: The approach and type of management along with the common complications in maxillofacial trauma were evaluated in this study.
METHODS: Medical records of 602 patients (486 males; 116 females; mean age 28,4±15,2; range 1 to 80 years) with maxillofacial fractures, admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology between 1992 and 2004, were evaluated in this study. Maxillofacial fracture was diagnosed by clinical and radiological findings. Sex and age distribution of patients, etiology of trauma, localization of the fractures, treatment modalities, time to treatment after the trauma and postoperative complications were recorded.
RESULTS: There were 257 (42,7%) mandible, 156 (25,9%) nose, 66 (11%) maxillary, 34 (5,6%) zygoma, 32 (5,3%) multiple facial, 29 (4,8%) blow-out and 28 (4,7%) frontal sinus fractures. While 256 (43%) patients underwent closed reduction, 346 (57%) patients were treated by open reduction. Postoperative complications were seen in 8,3% (51) of patients.
CONCLUSION: Although associated with some complications, open reduction and miniplate fixation should be the preferred treatment option, since it provides a powerful fixation, is easy to perform, and has better esthetic and cosmetic results.

BACKGROUND: In this study, the factors that effect the morbidity and mortality in patients with penetrating colonic injuries were evaluated.
METHODS: Fourty-two patients (37 males, 5 females; mean age 30,1; range 14 to 63 years) with penetrating colonic trauma were evaluated according to age, gender, type of penetrating trauma, location and severity of the colonic injury, associated injury, interval between the trauma and the definitive operation, hemodynamic status, blood transfusion requirement, fecal contamination, surgical procedure, postoperative complication and mortality.
RESULTS: Type of the penetrating trauma was stab injury in twenty-eight (67%) patients, and gunshot injury in fourteen (33%) patients. The mean Colon Injury Severity Score was 2,1. The mean Abdominal Trauma Index (ATI) was 17,2 and it was over than 25 in eight (19%) patients. The symptoms of shock were present in eleven (26%) patients at admission. Blood transfusions were applied in sixteen (38%) patients. In twenty-one patients intraabdominal bleeding was observed and it was more than 500 mL in eleven (26%) patients. Primary repair was performed in 36 (86%) of the 42 patients and colostomy was performed in six (14%) patients. Morbidity and mortality rates were 41% and 10% respectively.
CONCLUSION: It was found that morbidity rates were increased in patients with ATI score higher than 25, and mortality rates were increased in patients presenting shock at admission, with the amount of intraabdominal blood more than 500 mL, and who needed three or more units of blood transfusion. The primary repair of the penetrating colon trauma can be performed confidently in the hemodynamicaly stable patients with ATI score less than 25.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology and clinical features of the trauma in elderly patients, to investigate the factors influencing mortality and morbidity and to make a contribution to the national trauma data,
METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the medical records of three hundred seventy-one trauma patients (231 males (62,3%); 140 females (37,7%); mean age 71,9), aged 65 and older presenting to our hospital. Patients’ census data, diagnosis, dispositions, prognosis, trauma scores (GCS (Glasgow Coma Score), RTS (Adult Trauma Score), ISS (Injury Severity Score)), sites of injury were analyzed.
RESULTS: During the study period 187.326 patients were admitted to our emergency department (ED). A total of 9.520 patients were trauma patients. There were 371 patients 65 years and older. Mean GCS, mean RTS and mean ISS were 13,6, 11,3, and 9,3 respectively. A total of 213 patients were hospitalized. Mean length of stay was 7,9 days. Sixty-six patients were discharged from the ED. Mortality rate was 10,2% (38/371). The mechanism of injury, injury severity, increasing age were predictors of mortality (p<0.001). Major injuries included head trauma (36,4%), extremity trauma (36,4%), and thoracic trauma (18%). Head trauma and abdominal trauma were significantly more frequent in the nonsurvivors (p<0.001 and p=0.02 respectively).
CONCLUSION: Injury severity and increasing age were the predictors of mortality. Also pedestrian- vehicle collision patients were high mortality rate than the other trauma mechanisms. The most common injured organs were head and extremities.

BACKGROUND: Railway related accidents and incidents account for 150-200 deaths per 100 million passengers annually in Turkey. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological aspects of these casualties.
METHODS: The data about railway related casualties between January 1997 and December 2003 were retrospectively analyzed in Turkey.
RESULTS: Railway related accidents and incidents resulted in 213,3 deaths per year per 100 million passengers during the study period. Train-pedestrian accidents caused highest number of mortality and level crossing accidents caused highest numbers of casualty. Furthermore, suicide attempts had highest mortality ratio in railway related accidents. The majority of the fatalities and injuries occured in males for every type of incident and most of the injuries have taken place in the 25-60 age group. Summer time was the season with the highest number of fatalities and injuries.
CONCLUSION: Measures should be taken to improve railway safety. These include prevention of direct exposure of pedestrians to the railway tracts and conditioning the level crossings.

Graft infections can be seen after the peripheric vascular operations using synthetic graft. The patient who had femoro-femoral bypass with synthetic graft after a gunshot wound admitted to our department with graft infection and wide tissue loss. The distal pedal pulses were palpable. At the fifth day, the patient had a bleeding on the graft site and underwent emergency operation. Firstly the infected graft material was excised. Then the proximal end of the PTFE graft anastomosed to the external iliac artery with the lomber incision. A tunnel was formed just medial to the superior crista iliaca and under the inguinal ligament. The PTFE graft was passed through this tunnel excluding the infected area behind sartorius muscle and anastomosed to superficial femoral artery. Control angiography revealed that anastomoses were patent. At the graft infections which are especially with wide tissue loss, the retro-sartorious bypass surgery can be performed successfully as an alternative procedure.

We report a seven year-old boy who suffered left orbital penetration of an industrial sewing machine needle. The needle passing through the left orbit and sphenoid bone at the posterior was extending into the layers of the dura of the left temporal lobe. In this patient, we preferred surgical approach and there was no complication after surgery. Penetrating intraorbital foreign materials with intracranial extension may lead to complications such as intracerebral hematoma, brain abscess, CSF fistula, proptosis of the eye, diplopia, orbital cellulitis and periorbital abscess. They have to be removed by surgical approach to prevent potential complications.

Severe accidental hypothermia (core body temperature of less than 28 °C) is a life threatening state and a medical emergency associated with a high mortality rate. The prognosis depends on underlying diseases, advanced or very early age, the duration prior to treatment, the degree of hemodynamic deterioration, and especially, the methods of treatment, including active external or internal rewarming. We report a 70-year-old male patient with severe accidental hypothermia (core temperature 28 °C). The homeless man was found in the street. He died, in spite of all resuscitation efforts and rewarming methods. In this case report reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of accidental hypothermia.

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a known complication of traumatology, especially in long bone fractures. Fat embolic events are most often clinically insignificant and difficult to recognize since clinical manifestations are varied and there is no routine laboratory or radiographic diagnostic tool. Classically, FES presents with the triad of pulmonary distress, mental status changes, and petechial rash 24 to 48 hours after long-bone fracture. We report the intensive care management of a 16-year-old female patient who developed traumatic fat embolism syndrome. Traumatic fat embolism was diagnosed, based on suggestive clinical manifestations, radiographic and laboratory findings and confirmed by the demonstration of arterial hypoxemia in the absence of other disorders. Admission to the intensive care unit, mechanical ventilatory support with positive end-expiratory pressure and supportive therapy leaded to the patient's improvement and she was discharged with planned open reduction and internal fixation.