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Journals / Meandros Medical And Dental Journal / 2026 / Volume: 27 Issue: 1

Integrating Traditional Knowledge in Emergency Medicine: The Role of Heat Application in Scorpion Stings

Acil Tıpta Geleneksel Bilginin Entegre Edilmesi: Akrep Sokmalarında Isı Uygulamasının Rolü

Gülçim Kocairi(Muğla Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi)0000-0003-3844-9180
Ömer Faruk Karakoyun(Muğla Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi)0000-0002-4476-7989
Ethem Acar(MUĞLA SITKI KOÇMAN ÜNİVERSİTESİ, TIP FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0003-2251-112X
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-03-24
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

These findings support the potential integration of traditional practices into evidence-based treatment, pending validation through future randomized controlled trials.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of pre-hospital hot and cold applications on analgesic requirements and symptom severity in scorpion envenomation, with the broader goal of integrating traditional practices into modern emergency care.
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Key Findings & Data:Methods: This retrospective descriptive study included 229 adult patients who presented to Muğla Training and Research Hospital with scorpion stings between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022.
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Conclusion & Impact:These findings support the potential integration of traditional practices into evidence-based treatment, pending validation through future randomized controlled trials.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:2021 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Scorpion sting · hot application · Cold application

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of pre-hospital hot and cold applications on analgesic requirements and symptom severity in scorpion envenomation, with the broader goal of integrating traditional practices into modern emergency care. Methods: This retrospective descriptive study included 229 adult patients who presented to Muğla Training and Research Hospital with scorpion stings between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022. Patients were categorized into three groups based on pre-hospital interventions: hot application (n=46), cold application (n=100), and no intervention (n=83). Clinical stage, pain intensity (VAS), analgesic use, and demographic characteristics were compared. Results: Most patients (97.8%) were classified as stage 1 envenomation. The need for NSAIDs (19.3%) and opioids (1.5%) was significantly lower in the hot application group (p<0.001). Although the average VAS score reduction was similar across groups, those who received hot application required fewer analgesics. The median age was significantly higher among patients who used hot application (p=0.002). Conclusion: Pre-hospital hot application may effectively reduce analgesic requirements and serve as a complementary approach in pain management for scorpion stings. These findings support the potential integration of traditional practices into evidence-based treatment, pending validation through future randomized controlled trials.

Özet

Amaç: Bu çalışma, akrep sokmalarında pre-hospital dönemde uygulanan sıcak ve soğuk müdahalelerin analjezik ihtiyacı ve semptom şiddeti üzerindeki etkilerini değerlendirmektedir. Geleneksel uygulamaların modern tıpla entegrasyonu açısından ilk adımı oluşturmayı hedeflemektedir. Yöntem: Bu retrospektif tanımlayıcı çalışma, 1 Ocak 2021 – 31 Aralık 2022 tarihleri arasında Muğla Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi’ne başvuran 229 erişkin hastayı kapsamaktadır. Hastalar, sıcak uygulama (n=46), soğuk uygulama (n=100) ve müdahale yapılmayan (n=83) olmak üzere üç gruba ayrılmıştır. Klinik evre, VAS skorları, analjezik kullanımı ve demografik özellikler karşılaştırılmıştır. Bulgular: Olguların %97,8’i evre 1 olarak sınıflandırılmıştır. Sıcak uygulama yapılan grupta NSAİİ (%19,3) ve opioid (%1,5) kullanımı, diğer gruplara göre anlamlı düzeyde daha düşüktür (p<0,001). Ortalama VAS skorlarındaki düşüş benzer olmakla birlikte, sıcak uygulama yapılan grupta analjezik ihtiyacının daha az olduğu gözlenmiştir. Sıcak uygulama yapan bireylerin medyan yaşı daha yüksek bulunmuştur (p=0,002). Sonuç: Sıcak uygulama, pre-hospital dönemde uygulandığında analjezik ihtiyacını azaltabilir ve ağrı kontrolünde tamamlayıcı bir yaklaşım sunabilir. Bulgular, bu geleneksel yöntemin kontrollü koşullarda modern tedaviye entegre edilebileceğini göstermektedir. Prospektif, randomize kontrollü çalışmalarla desteklenmesi önerilmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Kocairi, G., Karakoyun, Ö. F., Acar, E. (2026). Integrating Traditional Knowledge in Emergency Medicine: The Role of Heat Application in Scorpion Stings. Meandros Medical And Dental Journal, Volume: 27 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.69601/meandrosmdj.1725744

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