BACKGROUND: This study compared the effects of saline, routinely used for intra-abdominal irrigation, with hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which we believe could be suitable for clinical practice in the future, on bacterial translocation in a rat model of peritonitis.
METHODS: Four groups were formed: Sham, Control, cecal ligation and puncture with saline (CLP+SF), and cecal ligation and puncture with hypochlorous acid (CLP+HA), with 11 rats in each group, for a total of 44 rats. One rat in the Control group died and was excluded from the study. The comparison focused on saline, which is routinely used for intra-abdominal irrigation, and HOCl, which is considered a potential option for future clinical use.
RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed between the CLP+SF and CLP+HA groups in liver, spleen, and mesenteric lymph node tissue cultures (p<0.001, p=0.004, and p=0.001, respectively). However, no significant difference was found between the CLP+SF and CLP+HA groups in blood cultures (p=0.181). Although bacterial growth in blood cultures was numerically lower in the CLP+HA group, the absence of statistical significance between the CLP+HA group and other groups was attributed to the limited sample size and the short duration of the experimental peritonitis/sepsis model. Additionally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results from blood samples showed that the mean levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), both inflammatory markers, did not differ significantly among the groups. This indicates that HOCl significantly reduced bacterial translocation without suppressing the inflammatory response.
CONCLUSION: It is predicted that the widespread use of HOCl in clinical practice could reduce mortality and morbidity in cases of perforation-induced peritonitis of intra-abdominal sepsis, shorten hospital stays, lower the cost of medical treatment, and contribute to the national economy in the healthcare sector.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) are significant gynecological infections that can lead to serious complications such as infertility and chronic pelvic pain. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) and other inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein [CRP], white blood cell count [WBC], and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR]) in patients with PID and TOA, and to identify predictors of treatment failure.
METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 136 patients diagnosed with PID or TOA at Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşçıoğlu City Hospital between January 2021 and December 2023. Demographic data, clinical findings, and laboratory results (PCT, CRP, WBC, NLR) were collected. Statistical analyses were performed using the Number Cruncher Statistical System (NCSS) 2007 software.
RESULTS: Of the 136 patients, 103 (75.73%) were diagnosed with TOA and 33 (24.26%) with PID without TOA. The TOA group had significantly longer hospital stays and higher levels of PCT, CRP, WBC, and NLR compared to the PID group (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified CRP as the most significant predictor of TOA (p=0.03). Among TOA patients, 53.3% required surgical intervention. Patients who underwent surgery had significantly higher PCT and NLR levels (p<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that a PCT cut-off value of 0.21 ng/mL predicted the need for surgical treatment with a sensitivity of 69.09% and specificity of 64.58%.
CONCLUSION: Procalcitonin and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio are valuable biomarkers in the diagnosis and management of TOA. Elevated PCT and NLR levels are associated with an increased likelihood of surgical intervention. Together with abscess size, these biomarkers can help predict treatment failure and support clinical decision-making. However, further prospective multicenter studies are necessary to validate these findings.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common causes of emergency abdominal surgery, and early identification of complicated cases is critical for effective clinical management. Although classical inflammatory markers such as white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and immature granulocyte percentage (IG%) are commonly used in diagnosis, their predictive accuracy remains limited. The HALP score (hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet score), which incorporates hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet levels, may offer a more comprehensive assessment by reflecting both inflammatory and immuno-nutritional status.
METHODS: This retrospective study included 854 patients who underwent appendectomy between January 2022 and December 2023 at a tertiary care center. Based on surgical and pathological findings, patients were categorized into two groups: complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis. Demographic data, along with hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, platelet, WBC, CRP, and IG% values, were recorded. The diagnostic performance of these parameters was statistically evaluated.
RESULTS: Among the 854 patients, 112 (13.1%) were diagnosed with complicated appendicitis. Complicated cases showed a signifi-cantly higher median age and a predominance of female patients. CRP, WBC, IG%, and platelet levels were significantly elevated in the complicated group, while hemoglobin, albumin, and lymphocyte counts were lower. The HALP score was significantly lower in patients with complicated appendicitis compared to those with uncomplicated appendicitis (median: 32.8 vs. 53.4, p<0.001). Among the evalu-ated markers, the HALP score demonstrated the highest diagnostic performance (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.732), followed by CRP (AUC: 0.706), IG% (AUC: 0.645), and WBC (AUC: 0.574).
CONCLUSION: The HALP score is a valuable and easily applicable biomarker for predicting complicated acute appendicitis. It outperforms traditional inflammatory markers by incorporating parameters that reflect both systemic inflammation and immuno-nutritional status. Routine use of the HALP score in emergency surgical evaluations may facilitate early identification of high-risk patients and guide clinical decision-making. Prospective, multicenter studies are needed to further validate its clinical utility.

BACKGROUND: The medical management of mass casualty incidents (MCIs) requires the strategic application of triage methods from the prehospital phase to patient discharge, ensuring the simultaneous and effective treatment of multiple injured individuals. This study aims to examine the transport processes of trauma patients to tertiary hospitals following traffic accidents that result in MCIs, and to evaluate the impact of these processes on patient outcomes.
METHODS: This retrospective study investigates the prehospital, inter-hospital transfer, and in-hospital processes of trauma patients injured in traffic accidents causing MCIs over a five-year period within a single province. A comprehensive analysis was conducted from multiple perspectives. A supervised artificial neural network model was employed to predict patient mortality, selected for its ability to identify complex, non-linear patterns in high-dimensional clinical data.
RESULTS: A total of 606 patients were included in the study. Of these, 212 (35.0%) underwent secondary transfer to a tertiary hospital, while 394 (65.0%) were directly admitted to a tertiary hospital following traffic accidents causing MCIs. The secondary transfer group experienced longer prehospital times (106.0 vs. 74.7 minutes, p<0.001) and received fewer correct triage decisions (75.0% vs. 92.4%, p<0.001). They also had higher rates of blood transfusion (60.8% vs. 38.8%, p<0.001), vasopressor use (43.9% vs. 22.1%, p<0.001), massive transfusion (36.8% vs. 19.0%, p<0.001), and mechanical ventilation (62.3% vs. 39.8%, p<0.001). In-hospital mortality was higher in the secondary transfer group (20.3%) compared to the direct admission group (8.1%), with an unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.348 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.205-0.585, p<0.001). The trained neural network model demonstrated excellent predictive performance for mortality (Training area under the curve [AUC]: 0.947; 95% CI: 0.928-0.966, Testing AUC: 0.841; 95% CI: 0.782-0.899). A stratified analysis examining the impact of correct vs. incorrect triage decisions on mortality revealed that among correctly triaged patients, mortality was significantly higher in the secondary transfer group (22.6%) compared to direct tertiary admission (8.0%), with an OR of 3.38 (95% CI: 1.99-5.78, p<0.001). Overall, patients who underwent secondary transfer had a higher mortality risk compared to direct admissions (OR: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.12-5.10, p=0.0265). A direct comparison between all correctly and incorrectly triaged patients showed that correct triage significantly reduced mortality risk (OR: 4.19; 95% CI: 2.15-8.48, p<0.001).
CONCLUSION: In the management of trauma patients following traffic accidents causing MCIs, transferring patients to hospitals that lack adequate trauma care increases mortality. Secondary transport negatively affects hemodynamic stability and leads to a greater need for blood transfusion, vasopressor support, massive transfusion, and mechanical ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Cancers of the rectosigmoid region account for a significant portion of colorectal cancers malignancies and are associated with higher rates of emergency presentation compared to other colorectal cancers. This study aims to compare emergency and elective presentations of rectosigmoid junction cancers in terms of surgical and pathological outcomes.
METHODS: Between 2021 and 2025, a total of 321 patients who underwent surgery for rectosigmoid cancer were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the nature of their hospital admission: emergency (n=76) and elective (n=245). Demographic characteristics (age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System [ASA] score), surgical details (approach, tumor location, type of operation, operative duration), postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification, length of hospital stay), and pathology results (perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, tumor (T) and nodal (N) stage, lymph node count) were analyzed.
RESULTS: The mean age in the emergency group (67.93±13.36 years) was higher than in the elective group (64.42±11.65 years) (p=0.027). The emergency group had a higher frequency of open surgical approaches (p<0.001), sigmoid tumors (p<0.001), and resection with colostomy procedures (p<0.001), while the elective group had higher rates of anastomosis (p<0.001). Postoperative complications, operation duration, and length of hospital stay were all significantly greater in the emergency group (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p=0.018, respectively). Pathologically, the emergency group showed higher rates of perineural invasion (p<0.001), lymphovascular invasion (p=0.006), advanced T and N stages (p<0.001 and p=0.006, respectively), and a higher number of positive lymph nodes (p=0.006). However, there was no difference between the groups in the total number of lymph nodes removed (p=0.323).
CONCLUSION: Despite the inherent challenges of emergency presentation, adherence to principles such as complete mesocolic excision and adequate lymphadenectomy in both groups resulted in comparable pathological outcomes, demonstrating the feasibility of maintaining oncologic standards even in emergency settings. This study shows that, despite their complexity, emergency presentations do not preclude oncologically radical resections when managed with standardized protocols.

BACKGROUND: Splenic injuries are among the most frequently encountered conditions in abdominal trauma. In such cases, the treatment approach must be carefully determined based on the patient’s hemodynamic stability, the severity of the injury, and the presence of associated intra-abdominal pathologies, typically requiring a choice between non-operative management (NOM) and surgical intervention. The decision-making process is primarily guided by hemodynamic status, injury grade, and imaging findings. This study evaluates clinical outcomes and the factors influencing treatment decisions in patients with splenic rupture who were referred from the emergency department to the general surgery unit.
METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 42 patients diagnosed with splenic injury between June 2023 and February 2025. Patients were divided into two groups: those who received NOM (n=29, 69.0%) and those who underwent operative management (OM) (n=13, 31.0%). Demographics, mechanisms of injury, hemodynamic status, laboratory results, imaging findings, transfusion requirements, length of hospital stay, and mortality rates were analyzed. Statistical comparisons were made using appropriate tests, with significance set at p<0.05.
RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 38.3±19.4 years, with 76.2% being male. The leading cause of injury was vehicular accidents (47.6%), followed by falls (21.4%) and penetrating trauma (11.9%). Operative management was more common in sharp object penetrating injuries (SOPI) (15.4%) and gunshot wounds (7.7%). Hemodynamic instability was more frequent in the OM group compared to the NOM group (30.8% vs. 10.3%, p=0.149). Splenectomy was performed in 76.9% of surgical cases (p=0.003). Computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed that Grade 1 injuries (55.2%) were predominant in the NOM group, while Grade 2 injuries (38.5%) were more common in the OM group (p=0.531). The OM group required more blood transfusions (2.6±3.0 units vs. 0.9±1.9 units, p=0.053) and had longer hospital stays (10.3±6.9 days vs. 5.7±4.9 days, p=0.042). Overall mortality was low (9.5%), with no significant difference between the groups (p=0.819).
CONCLUSION: Non-operative management is the preferred approach for hemodynamically stable patients, offering favorable outcomes and shorter hospital stays. However, penetrating trauma and hemodynamic instability are strong predictors for surgical intervention. Early risk stratification and close clinical monitoring are essential in determining the most appropriate treatment strategy for splenic injuries.

BACKGROUND: With the growing interest in the non-operative management of acute appendicitis (AA), accurate diagnosis has become increasingly important. This study aimed to evaluate the computed tomography appendicitis score (CTAS), complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients diagnosed with AA with and without computed tomography-detected (CT-detected) appendicoliths. Additionally, the study compared these findings between patients with perforated and non-perforated appendicitis.
METHODS: Between January 2020 and January 2023, 294 patients diagnosed with AA were retrospectively analyzed. Of these, 140 (47.6%) had appendicoliths (Group 1), and 154 (52.4%) did not (Group 2). CT findings of AA and CTAS were evaluated. CBC parameters, CRP levels, and SII scores were compared between the groups, and the presence of appendix perforation was analyzed.
RESULTS: The mean diameter and wall thickness of the appendix, presence of intra-abdominal fluid, and severity of periappendi-ceal fat stranding were higher in Group 1 (p<0.001, p=0.024, p=0.009, p<0.001, respectively). The CTAS was also higher in Group 1 (7.51±2.35) compared to Group 2 (6.38±2.41; p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between the diameter of the appendicolith and CTAS (rho=0.450, p<0.001). In Group 1, CTAS was higher in patients with more than one appendicolith (p=0.003). Perforation was observed in 15 patients (10.7%) in Group 1 and five patients (3.2%) in Group 2, with a higher incidence in Group 1 (p=0.011). Among Group 1 patients, the perforation rate was higher in those with more than one appendicolith (p=0.019). The mean CTAS was higher in patients with appendiceal perforation (10±1.13) compared to those without perforation (7.22±2.29) (p<0.001). Monocyte (MONO) counts were also higher in Group 1 (p=0.002). Other CBC parameters, CRP levels, and SII scores did not differ significantly between Groups 1 and 2 (p>0.05). However, CRP levels and MONO counts were elevated in patients with perforated appendicitis (p<0.001 and p=0.026, respectively).
CONCLUSION: Acute appendicitis with appendicoliths is associated with more pronounced inflammation and a higher rate of perforation. CTAS, CRP, and MONO levels tended to be elevated in cases of appendiceal perforation. A comprehensive evaluation incorporating the presence of appendicoliths, CTAS, and laboratory parameters may provide valuable insights into the severity of inflammation in AA.

BACKGROUND: Road traffic accidents are a significant cause of death worldwide. This study aims to comprehensively examine the forensic medical characteristics of traffic accident-related deaths in Artvin province and to explore the relationships between mechanisms of death, autopsy findings, and demographic data.
METHODS: A total of 273 cases that underwent postmortem examination or autopsy at the Artvin Branch of the Council of Forensic Medicine between 2017 and 2024 were retrospectively reviewed. Among these, 50 cases determined to have died as a result of road traffic accidents were included. Data such as age, sex, the role of the deceased in the accident, location and timing of the accident, type of vehicle involved, place of death, severity of injury, and cause of death were analyzed.
RESULTS: The majority of traffic accident-related deaths occurred in males, particularly among drivers aged 61 years and older. Most accidents took place in rural areas, on weekdays, and between 12: 01 PM and 6: 00 PM. Automobiles were the most frequently involved vehicles (60%). Approximately half of the deaths occurred at the scene. In most cases, at least one bone fracture was observed, most commonly in the thoracic region (37%), followed by skull fractures (30%). Internal organ injuries were present in 98% of the cases, with the brain and intrathoracic organs being the most commonly affected. Spinal cord injuries were identified in approximately one-quarter (26%) of the cases. The most common cause of death was multiple body trauma (52%), followed by head trauma (20%).
CONCLUSION: To reduce deaths resulting from road traffic accidents, stricter speed control measures should be implemented on non-urban roads, road safety improvements should be prioritized, and regular health screenings should be encouraged for older drivers. Additionally, improvements in emergency response systems and the early use of advanced imaging techniques may help reduce morbidity and mortality rates.

BACKGROUND: Medico-legal reports prepared for cases involving ocular trauma play an important role in the legal process. After obtaining a detailed medical history, these cases must be examined comprehensively. This study aimed to analyze medico-legal reports prepared for ocular trauma cases referred to the forensic medicine outpatient clinic and to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, the types of trauma sustained, and the nature of the injuries.
METHODS: In this study, the forensic medical records of 424 patients with ocular trauma resulting from forensic incidents were retrospectively analyzed. The cases were reviewed based on variables such as gender, age, age group, cause of injury (type of incident), nature of the incident (intentional or accidental), medical diagnosis, site of the eye injury, whether inpatient treatment was required in the ophthalmology clinic, and whether the injury resulted in visual sequelae.
RESULTS: Of the 424 cases, 310 (73.1%) were male and 114 (26.9%) were female. The most common age group was 20-29 years, accounting for 118 cases (27.8%). The most frequent cause of injury was assault, reported in 330 cases (77.8%). Women were found to be more frequently exposed to domestic violence (p<0.001, Cramer’s V=0.487). The most common finding was periorbital edema/ecchymosis, observed in 288 cases (67.9%), followed by subconjunctival hemorrhage in 71 cases (16.7%). Patients with open-globe injuries were more frequently hospitalized (p<0.001, Cramer’s V=0.788) and underwent surgical treatment (p<0.001, Cramer’s V=0.879) compared to those with closed-globe injuries.
CONCLUSION: It was observed that most forensic cases examined in our study involved mild injuries, limited to adnexal structures and the anterior segment, with generally minor symptoms. Physicians are advised to carefully examine and assess female patients with ocular trauma for potential signs of domestic violence.

BACKGROUND: Maxillofacial traumas are often associated with significant morbidity, disfigurement, functional impairment, and costly treatments. This study aimed to analyze the frequency and causes of forensic cases involving maxillofacial trauma.
METHODS: A total of 356 forensic reports indicating maxillofacial trauma were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed using a medi-cal records database. Data collected over a four-year period included age, gender, time of admission, injury mechanism, fracture location, consultations, and surgical procedures. Forensic cases were categorized into six age groups: 18-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, and over 61 years. The Glasgow Coma Scale and Injury Severity Score were recorded. The Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare scale score variables across categories, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.
RESULTS: The mean age was 37.63±15.01 years, with a predominance of males (80.3%). Cranial bone fractures were the most frequently observed injuries. The mean Glasgow Coma Scale score was 14.68±1.88 and the mean Injury Severity Score was 5.03±9.21. Maxillofacial trauma was most common among individuals in their third decade of life (34.55%). Forensic cases occurred most frequently in the summer (33.4%), particularly in July (14.3%), on weekdays (65.7%), and between 16: 00 and 00: 00 (56.7%). The majority of cases (80.9%) were managed without surgical intervention. Violence was the cause of 68.8% of all maxillofacial traumas. Maxillofacial traumas resulting from violence were associated with significantly higher Injury Severity Score values compared to other causes (p=0.001). Additionally, patients with maxillofacial traumas who required consultation had higher Injury Severity Score values (p=0.001).
CONCLUSION: The vast majority of forensic cases involving maxillofacial trauma occurred in males in their twenties. These traumas were most frequently caused by violence, particularly on summer weekends, between 16: 00 and 00: 00. Injury Severity Scores were higher when consultation was requested or in cases involving violence, underlining the severity of such traumas.

BACKGROUND: Vision is one of the most fundamental functions required for a quality life. In this context, eye trauma is frequently subject to medico-legal evaluation to determine both the severity of the injury and the presence of any sequelae, and, if present, the extent of visual function loss. This study examines the medico-legal assessment process following ocular trauma. The aim is to reduce potential confusion by providing explanations that offer standardization and guidance in forensic assessments.
METHODS: Between January 1, 2014 and January 1, 2024, the files and reports of 210 cases (210 eyes) were retrospectively analyzed. These cases involved forensic medico-legal assessments conducted by the Department of Forensic Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine, focusing on the severity of the injury and the presence of visual function impairment or loss following eye trauma in the context of criminal proceedings. Sociodemographic data, type and cause of trauma, initial diagnosis, classification of injury according to the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology System (BETTS), anatomical site of injury, injury severity, and whether visual function impairment or loss had occurred were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS 29.0 software package.
RESULTS: Of the 210 patients, 171 (81.4%) were male and 39 (18.6%) were female. Ocular trauma was most frequently observed in the 19-30 age group (n=62, 29.5%). There were 157 (74.8%) closed globe injuries and 53 (25.2%) open globe injuries. Subconjunctival hemorrhage (n=132, 62.9%) was the most common finding at the initial ophthalmological examination following trauma. An injury outside Zone 1 was identified as the strongest negative prognostic factor for visual impairment or loss.
CONCLUSION: From a forensic medicine perspective, eye trauma alone is not considered a life-threatening condition. However, a multidisciplinary approach, including forensic medicine specialists and ophthalmologists, should be adopted in the assessment of visual sequelae, that is, the impairment or loss of visual function, following eye trauma related to criminal proceedings. First, it must be determined whether the healing process is complete and whether there is a causal link between the trauma and vision loss. Once healing is complete, the visual function of each eye should be assessed individually. The assessment method should be chosen based on whether visual acuity loss, visual field defects, or any other diagnoses are present in one eye alone or in both eyes.

BACKGROUND: The forensic evaluation of non-fatal firearm injuries is crucial for legal proceedings; however, the quality and completeness of medical documentation often pose significant challenges. This study examines the limitations of retrospective, file-based forensic assessments and the impact of missing forensic and medical data on case evaluations. It also emphasizes the importance of early forensic consultation during hospitalization to improve documentation accuracy and legal outcomes.
METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 245 firearm injury cases referred to a forensic medicine branch directorate in 2024. The study analyzed ballistic findings, deficiencies in medical documentation, assessments of vascular injuries, and the time required to complete forensic reports. Cases were categorized based on the completeness of medical records and the need for a second forensic evaluation.
RESULTS: Differentiation between entry and exit wounds was missing in 53.9% of cases, and shooting distance assessment was documented in only one case. The type of ammunition was not recorded in 42.4% of cases. In 52.7% of cases, medical documentation was incomplete, with missing hospital records, imaging studies, and specialist consultations. Vascular injury assessments were absent in 43.0% of extremity injury cases. Although multiple projectile wounds were observed in 35.5% of cases, only 25.3% had sufficient documentation to evaluate each wound separately. The average time to complete a forensic report was 172.5 days for cases finalized in a single evaluation, while cases requiring additional medical records had a prolonged total duration of 230.8 days. Additionally, forensic consultation was absent in all cases, and forensic reports requested during hospitalization often resulted in preliminary rather than definitive reports.
CONCLUSION: The findings emphasize the critical role of emergency physicians in forensic evaluations, as missing or incomplete medical documentation significantly impairs the accuracy of forensic assessments and legal decisions. Implementing structured forensic consultation protocols within hospitals, ensuring the completeness of judicial documentation requests, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between forensic experts and emergency physicians can substantially improve the quality of forensic reporting. Establishing legal frameworks similar to on-site forensic evaluations used in fatal cases may further enhance documentation accuracy, accelerate forensic reporting, and lead to more reliable judicial outcomes.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the etiology, sex distribution, types of traumatic dental injuries, and treatment methods in children referred to the Pediatric Dentistry Department. Understanding these parameters is essential for improving prevention strategies and treatment outcomes in pediatric dental trauma.
METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 822 children aged 0-14 years who visited the Pediatric Dentistry Department over a six-month period. Of these, 59 children (7.2%) presented with dental injuries. Traumatic injuries were categorized using the Andreasen and Andreasen classification system. Data were collected on the causes of trauma, the location and type of injuries, and the treatment approaches for both primary and permanent teeth.
RESULTS: Crown fractures were the most commonly observed injuries, accounting for 76.2% of cases. Other injury types included avulsion (6.6%), subluxation (5.2%), concussion (5.2%), intrusive luxation (3.4%), root fractures (1.7%), and extrusive luxation (1.7%). Permanent teeth were more frequently affected (76.3%) than primary teeth. Falls were the leading cause of traumatic dental injuries, responsible for 77.9% of cases, with schools identified as the most common setting for such incidents (37.2%). Boys (59.3%) were more likely to experience dental trauma than girls (40.7%). Among the injured teeth, 16.9% of permanent teeth showed incomplete root formation. In terms of treatment, restorative procedures were the most frequently used (44.1%), followed by endodontic treatments and extractions, which together accounted for 25.4% of cases.
CONCLUSION: Traumatic dental injuries are common among children, particularly those of school age. Falls are the leading cause, with most injuries affecting the enamel layer of the teeth. Timely and accurate diagnosis of dental trauma is essential to minimize complications and preserve long-term dental health. Implementing preventive strategies and educating children, parents, and educators about dental safety can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of these injuries.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the effects of pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block and suprainguinal fascia iliaca compartment block (S-FICB) on perioperative pain control in patients undergoing surgery for intertrochanteric femoral fractures.
METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for intertrochanteric femoral fractures between June 2021 and June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The study included patients who underwent surgery for intertrochanteric femoral fractures using a proximal femoral nail under spinal anesthesia, combined with either a PENG block or an S-FICB. The patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent a PENG block were assigned to Group I, and those who received an S-FICB were assigned to Group II. Functional assessments included perioperative numerical rating scale (NRS) scores, the timing and amount of systemic analgesics use, patient satisfaction, nausea, vomiting, and motor muscle strength.
RESULTS: The spinal positioning score was significantly better in Group I (p<0.01). NRS scores were significantly lower in Group I at the 6th and 12th hours during exercise (p<0.001). Patient satisfaction scores were also significantly higher in Group I (p=0.04). The time to first opioid use was earlier, and the total opioid dose was higher, in Group II (p=0.03 and p=0.04, respectively).
CONCLUSION: The PENG block, with its more potent analgesic effect, easier positioning, lower opioid consumption, and higher patient satisfaction, emerges as a promising option for hip fracture surgery.