Frostbite. The Problems of Management and a Review of 200 Cases

摘要

Two hundred cases of frostbite were treated according to a standard hospital routine consisting of open, sterile care, whirlpool bath, intensive active physiotherapy, and postponement of surgical intervention. Twenty-one patients, or 10.5%, lost phalanges or portions of phalanges. There was one major amputation. Seventy additional cases with frostbitten extremities received other forms of treatment. Of these, thirty-five, or 50%, lost tissue. Thirteen patients, or 18.57%, had major amputations. Of the cases treated, forty-eight were seen prior to thawing and were rewarmed in water at above body temperature. Two extremities lost a digit and one the tuft of the distal phalanx. Although the number of cases is insufficient to permit positive conclusions, the clinical results following rapid thawing appear to be superior to those following other means of thawing. (Author)