Analysis of wound infections among pediatric patients following the 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquakes.

PURPOSE: On February 6, 2023, two earthquakes of magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 occurred consecutively in Turkey and Syria. This study aimed to investigate the predisposing factors for wound infection (WI) and the microbiological characteristics of wounds after earthquake-related injuries. METHODS: This descriptive study evaluated pediatric patients' frequency of WI, and the clinical and laboratory parameters associated with the development of WI were investigated. RESULTS: The study included 180 patients (91 female). The mean age of the patients was 123.9 ± 64.9 months and 81.7% (n = 147) of them had been trapped under rubble. Antibiotic treatment to prevent WI had been administered to 58.8% (n = 106) of all patients. WI was observed in 12.2% (n = 22) of the cases. In patients who developed WI, the incidence of exposure to a collapse, crush syndrome, compartment syndrome, multiple extremity injury, fasciotomy, amputation, peripheral nerve injury, thoracic compression, blood product use, intubation, and the use of central venous catheters, urinary catheters, and thoracic tubes were more frequent (p < 0.05). The need for blood product transfusion was associated with the development of WI (OR = 9.878 [95% CI: 2.504-38.960], p = 0.001). The negative predictive values of not developing WI at values of white blood cell count of < 11,630/mm3, creatine kinase < 810 U/L, potassium < 4.1 mEq/L, ALT < 29 U/L, AST < 32 U/L, and CRP < 45.8 mg/L were 93.7%, 96.8%, 90.8%, 93.3%, 100%, and 93.5%, respectively. Gram-negative pathogens (81%) were detected most frequently in cases of WI. Seventy-five percent of patients were multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant. CONCLUSION: This study leans empirical approach of our disaster circumstances. In cases with risk factors predisposing to the development of WI, it may be rational to start broad-spectrum antibiotics while considering the causative microorganisms and resistance profile to prevent morbidity.

Evaluation of pediatric trauma score and pediatric age-adjusted shock index in pediatric patients admitted to the hospital after an earthquake.

BACKGROUND: In our earthquake-prone country, it is crucial to gather data from regional hospitals following earthquakes. This information is essential for preparing for future disasters and enhancing healthcare services for those affected by earthquakes. This study aimed to evaluate the Pediatric Trauma Score (PTS) and the Shock Index, Pediatric Age-Adjusted (SIPA), in children affected by earthquakes, to provide clinicians with insights into the severity of trauma and hemodynamic stability. METHODS: The study included patients admitted to our hospital's pediatric emergency service within the three weeks following the earthquake. We evaluated their age, sex, admission vital signs, mechanical ventilation requirements, development of crush syndrome, length of hospital stay, PTS, and SIPA. RESULTS: Our study included 176 children (89 females and 87 males) with trauma. Fifty-eight (32.95%) children had crush syndrome, and 87 (49.43%) were hospitalized. The median PTS was 10 (ranging from -3 to 12), and the median SIPA was 1.00 (ranging from 0.57 to 2.10). We observed a negative correlation between the time spent under debris and PTS (r=-0.228, p=0.002) and a positive correlation with the SIPA score (r=0.268, p<0.001). The time spent under debris (p<0.001) and SIPA score (p<0.001) were significantly higher in hospitalized children. PTS was significantly lower in hospitalized children than in others. A PTS cutoff point of 7.5, and a SIPA cutoff point of 1.05, predicted hospitalization in all children. Time spent under debris and SIPA were significantly higher in children with crush syndrome than in others (p<0.001). PTS at a cutoff point of 8.5 and SIPA at a cutoff point of 1.05 predicted crush syndrome in all children. CONCLUSION: PTS and SIPA are important practical scoring systems that can be used to predict the severity of trauma, hospitalization, crush syndrome, and the clinical course in pediatric patients admitted to the hospital due to earthquake trauma.

Thromboprophylaxis in pediatric patients with earthquake-related crush syndrome: a single centre experience.

PURPOSE: Injuries increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the literature on the management of anticoagulant therapy in pediatric patients with crush injury is limited. In this study, we aimed to share our experience about anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis in pediatric patients with earthquake-related crush syndrome. METHODS: This study included patients who were evaluated for VTE risk after the Turkey-Syria earthquake in 2023. Since there is no specific pediatric guideline for the prevention of VTE in trauma patients, risk assessment for VTE and decision for thromboprophylaxis was made by adapting the guideline for the prevention of perioperative VTE in adolescent patients. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients [25 males and 24 females] with earthquake-related crush syndrome had participated in the study. The median age of the patients was 13.5 (8.8-15.5) years. Seven patients (14.6%) who had no risk factors for thrombosis were considered to be at low risk and did not receive thromboprophylaxis. Thirteen patients (27.1%) with one risk factor for thrombosis were considered to be at moderate risk and 28 patients (58.3%) with two or more risk factors for thrombosis were considered to be at high risk. Moderate-risk patients (n = 8) and high-risk patients aged < 13 years (n = 11) received prophylactic enoxaparin if they could not be mobilized early, while all high-risk patients aged ≥ 13 years (n = 13) received prophylactic enoxaparin. CONCLUSION: With the decision-making algorithm for thyromboprophylaxis we used, we observed a VTE rate of 2.1% in pediatric patients with earthquake-related crush syndrome.

pH and specific gravity of corrosive agents as indicators in caustic injuries.

BACKGROUND: Video endoscopy, which remains the diagnostic gold standard after ingestion of a corrosive substance, is performed under general anesthesia in children, requires advanced technology, and is costly. Simple and accessible methods are therefore needed to determine the need for endoscopy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the pH and specific gravity of ingested substance in determining endoscopy indications after corrosive ingestion. METHODS: This prospective study included pediatric patients who presented after ingesting a corrosive substance from June 2018 to June 2019. Relationships between the extent of damage detected by endoscopy and the patient's age, physical examination findings, and the pH and specific gravity of the causative substance were evaluated. RESULTS: The degree of damage detected on endoscopy was significantly milder for corrosive substances with a pH between 2 and 12 (P = 0.003). In addition, pH values between 2 and 12 were significantly more common among patients without physical examination findings (P = 0.029). Specific gravity less than 1,005 was associated with mild injury detected by video-endoscopy (P = 0.011). Patients in whom severe injury was detected by endoscopy had marked findings on physical examination (P < 0.001). There was no significant relationship between physical examination findings and the specific gravity of the substance involved (P = 0.087). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that conservative treatment options can be used without performing endoscopy in patients who have no physical examination finding after corrosive ingestion and where the pH of the substances is between 2 and 12 and the specific gravity of the substances is less than 1,005.

Analyzing the effect of laparoscopy duration time on peroperative gastroesophageal reflux

Background/aim: Intraabdominal pressure (IAP) is one of the main reasons for gastroesophageal reflux (GER). This study investigates whether IAP during laparoscopic surgery leads to GER in a time-dependent manner. Materials and methods: In a laparoscopy model, 15 mmHg IAP was created in 8 Wistar albino rats in the Trendelenburg position (TP). A 5 mm laparotomy was performed in the left lower abdominal region, and a 6 Fr catheter was placed intraabdominally. Air was insufflated into the abdominal cavity, and the pressure was kept constant at 15 mmHg. Esophageal pH alterations were measured by pH sticks for 4 h every 30 min. Results: The basal median esophageal pH value was 9 (8­10), the value after placing the catheter was 9 (7­10) (P = 0.47), and the median pH value after placing the subjects in TP was 9 (8­10) (P = 0.70). In our experimental model, esophageal pH values were found to decrease significantly at the 150th minute in TP and at 15 mmHg IAP (P < 0.05). Two rats died: one at the 120th minute and the other at the 240th minute (P > 0.05) Conclusion: Esophageal pH values decreased and continued to remain low following IAP increase and TP in this experimental rat model. Prolonged laparoscopic procedures can particularly lead to GER that requires instant recognition and rapid and appropriate intervention.

Effective predictors for surgical decision in antenatal hydronephrosis: a prospective multiparameter analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The majority of antenatal hydronephrosis disappears spontaneously. In our study, we have investigated the effective predictors for surgical decision in antenatal hydronephrosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-four patients found to have renal pelvic anteroposterior (AP) diameter more than 10-mm on antenatal ultrasonograpy were followed after birth. The study groups were divided into two groups: follow-up and surgery group. On follow-up, longitudinal diameter of the kidney, parenchymal thickness of the kidney, AP diameter of renal pelvis, AP diameter of middle calyces on ultrasonograpy, and differential renal function, 20th minute clearance, half-life of radionuclide tracer (T1/2), Tmax, Tmax-T1/2, normalised residual activity (NORA) on diuretic renography were evaluated. Ultrasonograpy and diuretic renography measurements were compared in patients whose hydronephrosis resolve or proceeded to surgery. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were diagnosed as antenatal hydronephrosis, spontaneous resolution occurred in 23 (52%), and surgery was performed in 21 patients (48%). Mean age at operation was 8.5±6.5 months (3-24 months). Mean AP diameter of renal pelvis was 29.5±14.2 mm for surgery group, 13.6±4.2 mm for follow-up group (p<0.001). Univariate analyses showed significance for all ultrasonographic measurements and only the differential renal function by diuretic renography. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed significance for AP diameter of renal pelvis (odds ratio 1.37; 95% Cl 1.13-1.66), and differential renal function (odds ratio 1.14; 95% Cl 1.01-1.29). CONCLUSION: AP diameter of renal pelvis and differential renal function were the most effective parameters for surgical decision. These parameters can be used for appropriate management of antenatal hydronephrosis.