MANY PEOPLE RECOVERED FROM THE WRUSH AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE DID DEATH DUE TO CRUSH SYNDROME.

Crush syndrome, which usually occurs after the end of the trauma, causes death and kidney failure.

What is crush syndrome?

The word “Crush” means crushing, crushing, squeezing, exposure to pressure. Crush syndrome, on the other hand, is a complicated picture that includes signs and symptoms that develop due to muscle death caused by trauma. In our country, which is an earthquake country, crush syndrome is one of the most important causes of death and kidney failure, especially in people who are removed from the rubble after a long time. It is a picture that usually occurs after the end of the trauma. The clinical picture occurs as a result of the mixing of toxic substances formed in the muscles, which are exposed to pressure for a long time and die due to inability to move, into the blood circulation. For this reason, patients who were removed from the rubble must be brought to medical support within the first 12 hours.
Prof. from Yeni Yüzyıl University Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital, Department of Urology. Dr. Fatih Altunrende said that many people rescued from the wreckage after the earthquake were exposed to crush syndrome and may have died because of this.

What are the causes of crush syndrome?

Crush syndrome may occur due to long periods of immobility and collapse due to earthquakes, mining accidents, traffic accidents, war and multiple traumas.

Why does crush syndrome occur?
Our muscles make up about 40% of our body mass. The muscles that sit on the bones are very vulnerable to trauma. The most frequently damaged structures in disasters such as earthquakes are usually our muscles. As a result of the breakdown of the muscles, substances toxic to the kidneys, such as myoglobin, enter the bloodstream. In case of being dehydrated for a long time, these toxic substances cannot be cleared from the blood fast enough due to the decreasing amount of urine. Sudden renal failure occurs as a result of the collapse of toxic substances in the channels in the kidney.

What are the symptoms?

It may present with symptoms such as mouth groin, increased heart rhythm, clouding of consciousness, cold sweats, bruising on the hands and feet, decreased urine output, and dementia of consciousness. In particular, darkening of the color of the urine can be observed due to the muscle breakdown product myoglobin, which is excreted in the urine.

Why is it Important and how can it be treated?

As a result of the crush syndrome, the victims who are saved as a result of long efforts may die after reaching the hospital. Therefore, patients should be evaluated in terms of Crush syndrome. It can be seen even in patients with normal vital functions and no major organ injury after trauma. Even if treated appropriately, deaths may occur due to kidney failure and cardiac rhythm disorders that develop. In addition to death, it can cause kidney failure and the need for dialysis.
In patients who were removed from the debris, one should be alert for Crush syndrome. In order to protect the kidneys, appropriate fluid support must be provided. If possible, support should be given intravenously. However, if it is not possible, oral route can also be used. Patients must be delivered to a health institution within the first 12 hours. It should be evaluated especially in terms of compartment syndrome that may occur due to prolonged compression. If necessary, urgent dialysis and amputation of the affected body parts are required.

Crush syndrome is an extremely important problem especially for patients who are removed from the rubble. Depending on the severity of the muscle death that occurs, it can cause consequences such as kidney failure and death despite all treatments.

ABOUT NEW YUZYIL UNIVERSITY GAZİOSMANPAŞA HOSPITAL

Yeni Yüzyıl University Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital started to serve in 1992 as the first private inpatient health institution in the region with a staff of specialist physicians 24 hours a day. It is one of the leading health institutions in Turkey with its 60.000 square meters closed area, earthquake resistant smart building technology, 12 operating theaters and 350 bed capacity. With its Organ Transplant Center and Oncology Center, it provides health services at international standards. Yeni Yüzyıl University Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital, which has ISO 9001-2008 quality certificate since 2008, also has JCI accreditation.