A 10-Year Analysis of Surgical Interventions Applied to Migrants: A Border Hospital Experience During the Syrian Civil War.

Abstract

Objective: The Syrian civil war has resulted in one of the largest refugee movements globally, significantly impacting Türkiye due to its geographic proximity. Surgical care represents a critical yet often overlooked aspect of healthcare services required by displaced populations. This study aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics and surgical procedures performed on migrant patients over a ten-year period at a secondary-level hospital located on Türkiye's southern border.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Kilis State Hospital between March 2010 and January 2020. Surgical procedures were categorized by department, patient nationality, and type of surgery. Patients operated under the "war code" were analyzed separately to identify conflict-related injury patterns.

Results: A total of 52,978 surgical procedures were performed, with 41.76% involving Syrian patients. The mean age was 31.28±20.33 years, and male patients predominated, especially among the war-injured subgroup (91.59%). The most active surgical departments were orthopedics and traumatology (20.63%), gynecology and obstetrics (17.51%), and general surgery (15.67%). Among war-related surgeries, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and plastic surgery departments played major roles.

Conclusions: This study highlights the high surgical demand among migrant populations in border regions, especially in conflict settings. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, maintaining accurate surgical records, and implementing multidisciplinary approaches are essential for meeting these needs. Our findings can inform future policies aimed at improving surgical care for displaced populations.