The effects of the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquake continue throughout the country. Interventions for the survivors of the earthquake, which killed many people, are very important. Wrong interventions made to people who were pulled out of the rubble alive can be fatal. Nephrology and Internal Medicine Specialist Prof. Dr. Havva Asuman Yavuz gave information about the crush syndrome that occurs under the debris and touched on the medical process that should be applied to the patients.
URINE OUTPUT MUST BE EXAMINED
Nephrology and Internal Medicine Specialist Prof. said that the medical process after the removal of a citizen who was rescued from the rubble after the earthquake determined the patient’s life vitally. Dr. Havva Asuman Yavuz said, “It is necessary to transfer the patient to the hospital very quickly. Check for urine output. Kidney values should be checked and muscle breakdown tests should be done. In the meantime, while these are being done, serum therapy should be started as soon as possible, a urinary catheter should be inserted, and a treatment plan should be made according to the results.
“CRUSH SYNDROME IS VERY IMPORTANT”
Stating that patients who survived from the rubble may experience crush syndrome, Prof. Dr. Havva Asuman Yavuz said, “We are living in very sad days. Unfortunately, there was a big earthquake. Thousands of people died, thousands of people were pulled out from under the rubble. Those who were removed from the rubble were quickly transferred to hospitals. The biggest and most important problem these days is the crushing syndrome for patients who come out from under the rubble, the problems that may arise depending on the time spent under the dent or the size of the body parts under the dent.
CAN CAUSE RENAL FAILURE
Referring to the damages that may occur after crushing syndrome, Prof. Dr. Yavuz said, “The patient can be taken out of the debris in a healthy way. It caught your eye on the news. Hours later, we can see news that he survived but passed away. The reason for this is the dead muscle tissue, which we call total crush syndrome. There are a number of substances that spread from muscle tissue to the whole body tissue. These substances are required to be excreted from the body by passing through the kidneys. However, while it is being excreted, it clogs the kidney, causing deterioration of kidney functions and kidney failure occurs.
SERUM TREATMENT MUST START ASAP
Stating that the citizens who were rescued from the rubble should start serum treatment as soon as possible, Prof. Dr. Yavuz said, “One of these substances is an electrolyte, which we call potassium. This electrolyte causes the heart to stop. So crush syndrome is a very dangerous syndrome. The patient needs to be transferred to the hospital very quickly. It is necessary to examine whether there is a urine output. Kidney values should be checked and muscle breakdown tests should be done. In the meantime, while these are being done, serum therapy should be started as soon as possible, a urinary catheter should be inserted, and a treatment plan should be made according to the results.
ATTENTION TO THE CONSUMPTION OF THESE FOODS
Underlining the need to pay attention to the drugs used after the wreckage process, Prof. Dr. Yavuz said, “One of the biggest problems here is the painkillers used for pain. Here it can occur in open wounds. Antibiotic treatments applied for them can damage the kidney. These can also cause some problems. Therefore, let’s not think, ‘The patient who came out of the wreckage is not crushed, he is old, nothing will happen’. Wherever the sign of crushing is on your body, it is necessary to warn the doctor about it. Because physicians and health personnel are in a very busy shift. The patient should especially show the area where he feels crushed to the physician. Tests are very important. Kidney values, muscle breakdown tests, urine output should be monitored, and fluid support should be provided very quickly. The most dangerous thing here is potassium. Potassium is found in bananas, lemons, oranges and tangerines. Such foods should also be avoided. “This kind of food should not be given to people who have been removed from the wreckage without measuring potassium,” he said.
(UAV)