EARTHQUAKE KNOWLEDGE UPDATE

EARTHQUAKE KNOWLEDGE UPDATEkapak

AMPUTATION DECISION

Duran Topak1 Ökkeş Bilal2

1Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye
2Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye

Topak D, Bilal Ö. Amputation Decision. In: Kalenderer Ö, Servet E, editors. Earthquake Knowledge Update. 1st ed. Ankara: Türkiye Klinikleri; 2025. p.143-149.

ABSTRACT

Amputation is defined as the surgical procedure for the removal of a limb or a part of a limb from the body for any reason. The decision to amputate should be considered as a last resort when the limb has sustained damage beyond repair and does not respond to treatment. Owing to its complex nature, this decision must be made based on evaluations and opinions from various teams. In the context of earthquakes, the amputation process deviates from normal circumstances due to factors, such as a high number of cases, crush injuries and syndrome, delays in accessing healthcare facilities, and prolonged entrapment under debris. Factors influencing the decision for amputation include age, shock, duration of injury, risk of infection, and comorbidities. All these factors should be carefully considered to make the best decision for the overall situation and the individual patient.

Keywords: Amputation; Earthquakes; Crush syndrome

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