Objective: This study aimed to describe the type and number of traumatic injuries seen after devastating earthquakes and to evaluate the difficulties experienced in the treatment process in a primary affected center. Methods: Out of the 2176 patients who were treated in the emergency department, 372 (199 male and 173 female) patients with complete data were included in this single-center retrospective study. In addition to the demographic characteristics of the patients, orthopedic injuries, other organ system injuries, type of injury, treatments, mechanisms of injury, and time of presentation to the emergency department were recorded. Results: The most common age group for injury was 20-30 years old, consisting of 73 patients (19.62%), and the second most common age group was between 40 and 50, with 72 patients (19.35%). Injury after being trapped under rubble was seen in 152 (40.86%) patients, while non-debris causes were more common in 220 patients (59.14%). The most common site of injury was in the lower extremities, with 111 patients (29.84%), while multiple injuries were seen in 109 patients (29.3%). Lower extremity fractures were mostly seen in long bones such as the femur (12.28%) and tibia (11.4%). Upper extremity fractures, especially those due to falls, were most frequently in the distal radius (8.77%). After triage, 117 patients (31.45%) were hospitalized, whereas the majority of patients (58.33%) were discharged from the emergency department. Conclusion: This study has shown us that injuries following major earthquakes are of a wide spectrum and occur in large numbers and in a very short time. Even in a well-equipped hospital that is not affected by an earthquake, there are many barriers to appropriate management. The first 24 hours after an earthquake are critical. This period should be kept in mind while organizing and taking necessary precautions, and early responses to earthquakes should be meticulously planned. Cite this article as: Köroğlu M, Karakaplan M, Ergen E, et al. The initial response of a local hospital in the earthquake zone during the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes: Injuries and challenges. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc., 2023;57(6):315-321.

Objective Hair tourniquet syndrome is an uncommon condition characterized by strangulation appendages by a hair or thread. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of hair removal and antibiotic therapy in our patients with hair tourniquet syndrome. Methods Between January 2012 and August 2018, 16 patients (8 boys, 8 girls; mean age: 118.5 [range: 20 to 380] days) were treated surgically for hair tourniquet syndrome. All patients were treated surgically under local or general anesthesia in the pediatric emergency department or in the operating theater using magnifying loupes. The age, gender, affected fingers or toes and the affected sides of the patients and the duration of symptoms until presentation were recorded. Results A total of 24 toes and fingers were treated for hair tourniquet syndrome. The right side was affected in 12 patients, the left side was affected in three, and both sides in one. The second toe was affected in three patients, the third toe in eleven, the fourth in six, and the fifth in two patients. Both the thumb and the second finger were affected in one patient. The average duration of the symptoms (excessive crying, swelling, redness) was 1.5 (range: 1 to 2) days. All patients healed without any complications. Conclusion Hair tourniquet syndrome should be kept in mind as an etiology in infants with toe and finger strangulation. These patients should be examined undressed. Immediate removal of hair is an effective treatment method to save appendage. Level of evidence Level IV, Therapeutic Study ER -

Key Clinical Message: Femoral nerve palsy is rare and may progress insidiously, leading to late clinical presentation. Identifying the underlying cause is very important for treatment. An iliacus hematoma causing nerve palsy is perhaps the most innocent etiology. However, this hematoma sometimes causes only abdominal pain and may even be misdiagnosed as a late intra‐abdominal pathology.

Background The aim of the current study was to search the effect of COVID-19 restriction on developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH) screening. Material and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the patients who brought to DDH screening in April-May and June-July 2020 and compared with the same period of 2019. We recorded age, gender, DDH type and risk factors of the patients. Results The number of patients taken for DDH screening was 430 and 400 in April-May 2019 and June-July 2019, respectively. In 2020, the number of patients taken for DDH screening was 159 and 776 in the same period, respectively. Thirteen patients were diagnosed with DDH older than 3 months age in June-July 2020. There were only two patients in same period in 2019. In 2020, 6 of 13 patients who applied to the hospital late for the routine US and had pathologic hips were not taken to orthopaedics or follow-up by their families. Conclusion In the era of COVID-19, the number of late diagnosis and lost follow-up for DDH are increased. To prevent future morbidities and reduce surgical interventions, special measures should be taken.