Distribution and cost of Syrian refugees operated on in Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey.

BACKGROUND

As a result of the Syrian civil war, > 5 million Syrian citizens have fled to neighbouring countries, particularly Turkey, under refugee status.

AIMS

To analyse the cost and justification for surgery of Syrian refugees treated in a secondary care hospital in Sanliurfa, Southeastern Turkey, close to the Syrian border.

METHODS

We enrolled 1458 Syrian refugees who were operated upon between 2012 and 2015. The data were obtained through a retrospective search of the hospital information system. Patients were divided into traumatic and nontraumatic cases. Injured body regions, anaesthetic technique, duration of operation, length of hospital stay, sociodemographic features and treatment cost were recorded and analysed.

RESULTS

Length of the hospital stay was 7.66 (0.31) days for all 1458 patients. The most common operations were orthopaedic, urological and cranial surgery. The total healthcare costs while patients stayed in hospital was ~US$ 2 million, and cost per patient was US$ 1400.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of trauma operations performed has declined between 2012 and 2015. Health spending on refugees is an indicator of the economic burden on the country.