Functional outcomes and mortality after multi-limb amputations following the 2023 Türkiye earthquake: a two-year...

Multi-limb amputations are extremely rare and devastating injuries, particularly in the context of civilian disasters. The 2023 Türkiye earthquake resulted in a significant number of complex traumatic injuries, including multiple limb amputations. This study aims to investigate early mortality, surgical complications, and functional outcomes at two-year follow-up in civilian patients who underwent two or more limb amputations following the disaster.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 22 patients who sustained multiple limb amputations after the earthquake. Demographic data, amputation levels, surgical interventions, complications, and outcomes at two-year follow-up were recorded. The primary outcomes were mortality, the number and type of reoperations, and functional recovery at two years.

Among the cohort, two-limb amputations were performed in 17 patients, three-limb amputations in 4 patients, and four-limb amputation in 1 patient. Twenty patients required at least one additional surgical procedure during hospitalization, most commonly surgical debridement for soft tissue infection. Eight patients died, of whom five had undergone amputation of three or more limbs. Sepsis was the leading cause of death. Follow-up data at two years were available for 14 survivors. Of these, only 3 patients were able to ambulate independently using prosthetic devices. Phantom limb pain was reported in 6 patients, and all received medical management. The average hospital stay exceeded 80 days in patients with bilateral amputations.

This study presents one of the largest case series of multi-limb amputees following a civilian earthquake. The findings highlight the high rate of reoperation, substantial mortality, and limited functional recovery at two-year follow-up in this population. Early multidisciplinary rehabilitation strategies should be prioritized to improve outcomes in future mass-casualty settings.