Quick Response and Management of Patients During a Mass Casualty Incident: Experiences After 2023 Türkiye Earthquake

Abstract

A devastating series of earthquakes hit Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye on February 6, 2023, affecting 14 million people. A true mass casualty incident, these earthquakes reminded us of the importance of being ready and able to address the consequences. Our clinic is a central referral center so during the first few days we had to treat hundreds of patients transferred to us with compartment syndrome in the upper extremities, finger amputations, tissue defects, and infected open wounds. Every member of our team showed tremendous effort and selfless nature to attend to the extreme number of patients in a limited time. We share our experiences during this trying time so that should a mass casualty incident occur again, a hand surgeon anywhere in the world can anticipate the aftereffect and respond adequately and quickly.