1. | Front Matters Pages I - VII |
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY | |
2. | The effects of topical aloe vera on an experimentally designed penile fracture model in rats Reha Girgin, Gökhan Çeker, Inci Turan, Filiz Kutu, Yusuf Elma, Emine Yılmaz Can PMID: 38506382 PMCID: PMC10977493 doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2024.26425 Pages 147 - 154 BACKGROUND: This study assessed the histopathological and oxidative effects of topical Aloe Vera (AV) on penile fractures (PF) formed experimentally in a rat model. METHODS: Forty Wistar albino rats (220-250 g) were used. The PF model was created experimentally with a number 15 lancet. Then, the rats were randomly and equally divided into five groups. In the first group (C), no incision was formed. In the second group (P), an incision was formed. In the third group (PR), the incision line was closed primarily. In the fourth group (PA), AV was locally applied onto the incision without suturing for three days. In the last group (PRA), AV was applied to the primary repair region for three days. All groups were compared to each other according to histopathological and biochemical data. RESULTS: Hyperemia-bleeding was observed to be suppressed in the PRA group compared to the other groups (p<0.001). Inflammation was observed only in Groups PR and PRA (p<0.001). Significant fibrosis was observed in the PA and PRA groups compared to the other groups (p<0.001). Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione (GSH) values increased in favor of Group PRA (p=0.009 and p=0.035, respectively). Total Oxidative Status (TOS) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) values decreased in favor of Group PA (p=0.036 and p=0.026, respectively). Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) levels decreased mostly in the PRA group, but these changes did not reach statistical significance (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Topical AV application reduces tissue inflammation and oxidative stress but appears to increase the development of fibrosis after PF. |
ORIGINAL ARTICLE | |
3. | Emergent approach to small bowel tumors: diagnosis and treatment Enes Sahin, Kazım Şahin, Haşim Köken, Sertaç Ata Güler, Turgay Şimşek, Nihat Zafer Utkan, Mustafa Şahin PMID: 38506384 PMCID: PMC10977489 doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2024.33680 Pages 155 - 159 BACKGROUND: This study presents the diagnosis and treatment of rare small bowel tumors through clinical cases. METHODS: Patients treated between 2000 and 2023 were included in the study. The clinical records of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients were included in the study. Of these patients, 26 (75.5%) were male and eight (23.5%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 62.1 years. The most common symptoms and signs were abdominal pain (76.4%), bloating (38.2%), and nausea and vomiting (17.6%). Diagnostic methods included computed tomography (CT) (82.3%), upper gastrointestinal double balloon enteroscopy (35.2%), and capsule endoscopy (5.8%). Diagnoses included adenocarcinoma in 13 cases, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) in 12 cases, and neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in two cases. CONCLUSION: Small bowel tumors frequently present with abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea and vomiting. CT and endoscopic procedures are the primary diagnostic tools. Small bowel cancers are often diagnosed late due to subtle clinical findings and the limitations of endoscopic imaging. Targeted screening strategies may be beneficial for certain at-risk and symptomatic patient groups. Early surgical intervention offers significant advantages for diagnosed patients. |
4. | Investigation of fatal traumatic head injuries Kerem Sehlikoğlu, Abdurrahim Türkoğlu, Turgay Bork, Muhammet Batbaş PMID: 38506383 PMCID: PMC10977496 doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2024.32463 Pages 160 - 166 BACKGROUND: Traumatic head injuries (THIs) are one of the major causes of death in forensic cases. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of patients with fatal THIs. METHODS: In this study, a total of 311 patients with fatal THIs, who underwent postmortem examinations and/or autopsies, were retrospectively analyzed. Cases were evaluated based on sex, age group, incident origin, cause of the incident, presence of skull fracture, type of fractured bone (if any), fracture localization and pattern, presence and type of intracranial lesion (if any), and cause of death. RESULTS: Out of the patients, 242 (77.8%) were male and 69 (22.2%) were female. Accidents accounted for 235 (75.6%) of the incidents, with in-vehicle traffic accidents causing 117 (37.6%). In 221 cases (71.1%), intracranial lesions and skull fractures were observed together. The most common fractures were base fractures (171 cases) and temporal bone fractures (153 cases). The rate of intracranial hemorrhage was lower in the adult age group (69.7%) compared to the older age group (92.6%). CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study indicate that the cause of the incident, type of fracture, presence of skull base fracture, and multiple skull fractures increase the likelihood of fatalities. The occurrence of skull fractures reduces intracranial pressure, thereby decreasing the incidence of intracranial lesions. The development and effective enforcement of road traffic safety policies and regulations will reduce the incidence of fatalities. |
5. | Anesthetic approach to trauma patients in the city hospital after the 2023 Maraş earthquake Aylin Kılınçarslan, Ceyda Özhan Caparlar, Müge Çakırca, Fatma Özkan Sipahioğlu, Funda Atar, Selma Ölmez, Nur Yılmaz, Merve Karaşahin, Derya Özkan PMID: 38506390 PMCID: PMC10977499 doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2024.92346 Pages 167 - 173 BACKGROUND: The February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquake caused significant destruction across our country. More than 50,000 people lost their lives, thousands were injured, and health facilities were damaged. Victims were transferred to hospitals in other provinces for treatment. This study evaluates the anesthesia approach applied to the injured who were transferred to our tertiary hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent surgery between February 6 and February 20, 2023. The study included earthquake victims who underwent emergency trauma surgery, aged 10 years and above. We recorded the date of admission to the hospital, demographic information, type of surgery, surgical site, anesthesia technique, preference for peripheral block, laboratory values, dialysis and intensive care needs, and survival rates. Data analysis was performed using the IBM® Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS®) Version 26.0. RESULTS: A total of 375 cases were included in the study. Of these, 323 patients underwent surgery for extremity injuries, and 35 for vertebral injuries. Among the extremity injuries, 61.6% were to the lower extremities, and 17.1% to the upper extremities. Debridement was performed on 147 patients, fasciotomy on 49 patients, and amputation on 33 patients. General anesthesia was applied to 352 patients, spinal anesthesia to 19 patients, and sedoanalgesia to four patients. Peripheral nerve block was performed on 33 patients. Dialysis treatment was administered to 105 patients. Twenty-six patients were lost during the treatment process. There were no intraoperative patient deaths. CONCLUSION: The predominance of extremity injuries among earthquake victims increases the inclination towards regional anesthesia. Incorporating Plan A blocks into basic anesthesia skills could enhance the preference for regional anesthesia in disaster situations. Furthermore, transferring the injured to advanced centers may reduce morbidity. |
6. | Mortality Factors in Crush Syndrome Engin Onan, Dilek Torun, Rüya Kozanoğlu, Hasan Miçözkadıoğlu, Salih Beyaz, Levent Özgözen, Necmettin Turgut, Yusuf Ziya Demiroğlu, Özlem Karagün, Pınar Ergenoğlu, Özlem Özkan Kuşçu, Ege Altan, Alper Tuna Güven, Alim Abdullayev, İsmail Karluka, Çiğdem Yalçın, Mustafa Mazıcan, İsa Göktürk Balcı, Burak Özkan, Gönül Parmaksız, Begüm Avcı, Aytül Noyan, Turan Çolak, Hüseyin Ali Tünel, Abdulkerim Temiz, Hasan Özkan Gezer, Cankat Erdoğan, Galib Bairamoi, Dilek Yünlüel, Soner Çivi, Emre Durdağ, Özgür Kardeş, Halil İbrahim Süner, Kadir Tufan, Serkan Erkan, Tevfik Avcı, Ramazan Gündoğdu, Murat Kuş, Alper Fındıkçıoğlu, Oya Yıldız, Eda Alışkan, Cenk Coşkunoğlu, Mehmet Haberal PMID: 38506381 PMCID: PMC10977497 doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2024.20532 Pages 174 - 184 BACKGROUND: Crush Syndrome is a major cause of morbidity and mortality following large-scale catastrophic earthquakes. Since there are no randomized controlled studies on Crush Syndrome, knowledge on this subject is limited to expert experience. The primary objective is to analyze the epidemiological and demographic characteristics, clinical outcomes, and mortality factors of earthquake victims after the Pazarcik and Elbistan earthquakes on February 6, 2023. METHODS: This cross-sectional and observational retrospective study evaluated 610 earthquake victims who presented to our center between February 6 and April 30, 2023. Among these patients, 128 with Crush Syndrome were included in the study. Patient information was gathered from hospital records during their stay and from national registries upon referral. The primary outcome was to identify risk factors for mortality. Demographic and laboratory data were analyzed by acute kidney injury (AKI) stages; mortality-affecting factors were identified through regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 128 Crush Syndrome patients (100 adults, 28 children), 64 were female. The AKI rate was 32.8%. Among patients with AKI, the frequency of hemodialysis requirement was 69%, and the mortality rate was 14.2%. The overall mortality rate for patients with Crush Syndrome was 4.6%, compared to 3.9% (19/482) in earthquake victims without Crush Syndrome (p=0.705). Notably, low systolic blood pressure at admission was the only factor significantly affecting mortality in Crush Syndrome patients (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 1.088, p=0.021, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]). CONCLUSION: Our study highlights low systolic blood pressure upon admission as a significant risk factor for increased mortality in Crush Syndrome patients. This finding may contribute to the literature by emphasizing the importance of monitoring blood pressure under rubble and administering more aggressive fluid therapy to patients with low systolic blood pressure. |
7. | Use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in severe earthquake injuries Levent Demir, Mustafa Öztürk PMID: 38506387 PMCID: PMC10977492 doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2024.60979 Pages 185 - 191 BACKGROUND: Earthquakes are natural disasters that can often cause severe injuries and traumatic situations. These injuries can include crush injuries, fractures, tissue damage, and blood circulation problems. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has recently become a frequently used treatment modality for individuals suffering from severe injuries. HBOT is a form of treatment that involves administering pure oxygen to the patient under high pressure. This treatment aims to promote tissue healing by increasing cellular oxygenation. It is thought to have a positive effect on factors such as accelerating tissue healing, reducing inflammation, and controlling infection in severe post-earthquake injuries, particularly crush injuries. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the clinical effects, contributions to the healing process, and potential advantages of HBOT in 35 patients with severe injuries after the Kahramanmaraş earthquake that occurred on 06.02.2023 and to contribute to the development of emergency intervention strategies. METHODS: This study was carried out after ethics committee approval. In the study, the data of patients with a MESS Score between 7-14 who were admitted as earthquake victims and treated in the HBOT Unit due to severe earthquake-related injuries were obtained from records and retrospectively analyzed. Demographic information, general distribution of patient data, mean values, number of HBOT sessions, and functional outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: The gender distribution of the 35 patients who received HBOT was 31.4% male and 68.6% female. 45.7% of patients were aged 18 years or younger, and 54.3% were aged 19 years or older. The most common injuries in the treated patients were observed in the lower extremities. After HBOT, sensory recovery (54.3%) and functional recovery (51.4%) were achieved in the majority of patients. The minor amputation rate was 20.0% and the major amputation rate was 11.4% after HBOT. CONCLUSION: This study evaluated the possible effects of HBOT on patients with severe earthquake injuries in Türkiye, and the results showed that HBOT may have a beneficial effect on critical factors such as sensory recovery, functional recovery, and amputation rates in this particular group of patients, and that this benefit may be more pronounced in those who started treatment early. |
8. | Evaluation of emergency department admissions of mass casualty patients using the revised trauma score, injury severity score, and trauma and injury severity score Bahadır Karaca, Mehmet Kemal Emem, Burak Çelik, Nurdan Yılmaz Şahin PMID: 38506389 PMCID: PMC10977491 doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2024.73531 Pages 192 - 202 BACKGROUND: There is a need for studies evaluating prognostic scoring systems in mass trauma patients in conflict regions to predict patient prognosis for emergency surgical prioritization. In this study, we aimed to evaluate scoring systems such as the Revised Trauma Score (RTS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), and Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) in trauma patients admitted due to mass trauma in Northern Syria. METHODS: This study was a retrospective evaluation of patients admitted due to mass trauma to the emergency departments of hospitals in Northern Syria. The diagnostic efficiency of RTS, ISS, and TRISS scoring systems was evaluated in these admissions in the first half of 2021. RESULTS: The most common causes of mass trauma were bomb blast (67.3%), gunshot (28.8%), and 14 (3.9%) patients admitted with other causes. When the odds ratio (OR) was analyzed, a one-unit increase in the RTS score increased the odds of survival by a factor of 6.133, and a one-unit increase in the TRISS score increased the odds of survival by a factor of 1.057. Differently, it was found that each 1-unit increase in ISS decreased the patient's probability of survival by 0.856 units. When RTS, TRISS, and ISS scores were analyzed, the area under the ROC curve was statistically significant for all of them (p<0.001) and all of them had a diagnostic value for mortality with sensitivities of 99.0%, 94.8%, and 91.9%; specificities of 87.8%, 90.5%, and 88.6; AUC of 0.958, 0.975, and 0.958, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of trauma scoring systems, especially TRISS, may be useful for prioritizing patients in mass casualty settings in the presence of overcapacity. |
9. | The effect of time from injury to fasciotomy in patients with acute upper extremity compartment syndrome Gökhan Sert, Fethiye Damla Menku Ozdemir, Oznur Uzun, Galip Gencay Üstün PMID: 38506391 PMCID: PMC10977498 doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2024.95519 Pages 203 - 209 BACKGROUND: Acute compartment syndrome of the upper extremity is a surgical emergency, and timely diagnosis with immediate fasciotomies is essential for the preservation of function. This retrospective study aimed to compare the complication rates of patients who underwent fasciotomy before and after 6 hours following the initial trauma. METHODS: The medical records of the patients who underwent fasciotomy for surgical treatment of ACS of the upper extremity between 2016 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed for age, gender, dominant hand, mechanism of injury, injury level, affected compartments, associated injuries, time elapsed till fasciotomy, and complications. The patients were divided into two groups according to the timing of fasciotomy. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients underwent fasciotomies for upper extremity ACS. The mean age of patients who underwent fasciotomy ≤ 6 hours (group 1; 10 males, 7 females) and patients who underwent fasciotomy > 6 hours (group 2; 13 males, 2 females) was 31.1 and 34.8, respectively. The most common etiology was crushing injury. There was a significant difference in complication rates between group 1 (1/17) and group 2 (10/15) (p<0.001). The length of hospitalization stay in group 2 was statistically higher than in group 1 (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Fasciotomies for ACS of the upper extremity should be performed in less than 6 hours following the initial trauma to prevent complications. |
10. | Is ultrasound guidance necessary to avoid complications in the implantation of venous access ports? Burak İlhan, İbrahim Fethi Azamat, Süleyman Bademler, Omer Avlanmis, Görkem Uzunyolcu, Basak Erginel, Fatih Yanar PMID: 38506386 PMCID: PMC10977494 doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2024.58665 Pages 210 - 215 BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to present demographic information of patients undergoing totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP) implantation and to investigate the rates of early and late complications, assessing the benefits of performing the procedure underUS guidance. METHODS: From May 2018 to December 2023, the outcomes of a total of 537 TIVAP implantation procedures were analyzed retrospectively. Data of the surgeons' experiences for both puncture methods (anatomical landmarks and ultrasound guidance) are presented in the study. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 53.1±11.9 years, and 261 (48.6%) were female. The right subclavian vein was the preferred insertion site. Fourteen patients developed early complications and 11 developed late complications. Arterial puncture was the most common early complication, while catheter-related infection was the most common late complication. The age, sex, and body mass index of the patients were not independent risk factors for developing complications. Early complications increased as the number of puncture attempts did (p=0.034) and developed significantly less when ultrasound guidance was used during insertion (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: The risk of developing complications was not affected by patient’s age or sex. In addition, body mass index was not shown to be an independent risk factor for patients developing complications. It may be concluded from the study that early complications in particular can be reduced with ultrasound-guided implantation. |
11. | Risk of burns in pressure cooker usage: a comprehensive analysis of explosive injuries Serhat Meriç, Talar Vartanoglu Aktokmakyan, Nadir Adnan Hacım, Hasim Furkan Gullu, Merve Tokocin, Önder Önen, Mustafa Turan PMID: 38506385 PMCID: PMC10977495 doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2024.38131 Pages 216 - 220 BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of pressure cookers for quick and efficient cooking, literature has insufficiently highlighted the potential dangers resulting from inappropriate handling. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of 32 patients who presented with pressure cooker burns, emphasizing the serious risks associated with their misuse. METHODS: Retrospective data were collected from patients admitted to Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital Burn Center between 2017 and 2020 with pressure cooker burns in Türkiye. Data encompassed patient characteristics, burn causes, locations, severities, treatments, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The study included 32 patients (29 female/3 male) with a mean age of 42.3 (8-83). Patients were categorized based on burn areas, revealing associated injuries such as ocular (34.3%) and ear injuries (6.25%). The average hospital stay was 10.5 days [2-37]. While five pressure cookers exploded due to product-related issues, 26 explosions resulted from user errors (15.6%/81.2%). Importantly, no mortality was observed among the patients. CONCLUSION: While pressure cookers facilitate rapid food preparation, this study underscores the severe risks arising from product or usage errors. This study emphasizes the need for more effective usage instructions and increased awareness about pressure cookers to prevent burn risks. We anticipate that educational programs focused on safe pressure cooker use could significantly reduce the incidence of serious injuries. |
CASE REPORTS | |
12. | Post Trauma Acinetobacter Baumanii Meningitis Treatment Approach Cem Erdoğan, Zeynep Betul Balcioglu, Isa Seida, Denız KIZILASLAN PMID: 38506388 PMCID: PMC10977500 doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2024.65051 Pages 221 - 225 A. baumannii, which is said to be associated with nosocomial infections is considered a significant mortality risk if not adequately addressed. A. baumannii infections typically occur in the aftermath of surgery or trauma. Our patient developed complicated A. baumannii meningitis with lateral ventriculitis and a lumbar abscess post surgery after suffering from a fall. The patient was treated with a 21-day regimen of intrathecally administered colistin and polymyxin B. Following this therapeutic period, the patient's condition improved, ultimately leading to successful recovery and subsequent discharge. This case report serves to highlight the ability of intrathecal administration of antibiotics, that normally have limited potential of crossing the blood-brain-barrier, to lead to improved survival outcomes in multi-drug resistant nosocomial meningitis. |
13. | A rare cause of intestinal obstruction: right paraduodenal hernia Tuba Atak PMID: 38506380 PMCID: PMC10977490 doi: 10.14744/tjtes.2023.20352 Pages 226 - 228 Internal herniation is an extremely rare cause of intestinal obstruction. Paraduodenal hernias result from abnormal rotation of the bowel. Symptoms that may range from recurrent abdominal pain to acute obstruction may occur. If it is not diagnosed and treated in time, the disease may result in intestinal ischemia. This article aimed to present the diagnosis and treatment process of a 47-year-old male presenting with acute abdomen symptoms by evaluating retrospectively with the accompaniment of literature. During the abdominal exploration of the patient, nearly all of the intestines were observed to be herniated from the right paraduodenal region to the posterior area. The opening of the hernial sac was repaired primarily by reducing the intestinal bowel loops into the intraperitoneal region. The patient undergoing anastomosis by performing resection of the ischemic part after reduction of herniated bowel loops was discharged uneventfully on the post-operative 10th day. Paraduodenal hernia is a condition that should be considered in patients with abdominal pain and intestinal obstruction symptoms. Early diagnosis is of vital importance to prevent the complications which can develop. |