Silent Pneumoperitoneum in a Major Burn Earthquake Survivor: Sigmoid Diverticular Perforation.

Abstract

In February 2023, two major earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.6 and 7.8 occurred in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. Major burns are traumas that involve a multisystemic organ response. Gastrointestinal complications, including stress ulcers and acute mesenteric ischemia-related conditions, are commonly seen in patients with major burns. While crush syndrome and extremity injuries are typically observed in earthquake survivors, burn cases have also been reported. However, hollow organ perforation due to blunt trauma from being trapped under the rubble is not commonly observed. In this case report, a patient who developed a scald burn during the earthquake, trapped under the rubble, and developed silent pneumoperitoneum on the 10th day after the earthquake is presented.