MATERIAL and METHODS: In the present study, the records of 85 earthquake victims who were diagnosed with traumatic spinal injury at the emergency department of Çukurova University Medical Faculty Balcalı Hospital and followed up by the neurosurgery clinic during 06-13 February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS: Of the 85 patients with spinal injuries, 34 (40%) were male and 51 (60%) were female. The mean age of the study group was 46 (range 7-88 years). Multiple system trauma was present in 59 (69.5%) patients and isolated spinal trauma in 26 patients (30.5%). In patients with other systemic traumas, orthopedic (32 patients), thorax (29 patients) and abdomen (8 patients) injuries were the most common. Spinal injuries were detected in the cervical region in 18 patients (21.2%), thoracic region in 12 patients (14.1%), lumbar region in 34 patients (40%), and multiple levels in 21 patients (24.7%). Most of the injuries were in the thoracolumbar junction (T10-L2 interval) as seen in 49 patients (57.6%). According to injury types; compression fracture was observed in 28 patients (32.9%), burst fracture in 4 patients (4.7%), dislocation in 1 patient (1.2%), fracture of the lateral and posterior elements in 36 patients (42.4%), and multiple fractures in 16 patients (18.8%). A total of 12 patients had spinal cord injuries. A total of 30 patients underwent surgical operations due to spinal injuries. While no patient died due to the spinal injury, mortality was observed in 4 patients due to non-neurosurgical reasons.

CONCLUSION: Neurosurgical injuries that occur after an earthquake increase mortality and morbidity significantly. Mortality and morbidity can be reduced by performing rapid and effective triage on patients and promptly identifying and treating life-threatening conditions. Among these interventions, rapid diagnosis and treatment of spinal injuries plays a key role. Anahtar Kelimeler : Earthquake, Spinal injury, Trauma, Spinal surgery