Proposed Treatment Protocol for Frostbite: A Retrospective Analysis of 17 Cases Based on a 3-Year Single-Institution Experience

Background This paper discusses the treatment protocol for patients with frostbite.Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of a series of 17 patients with second- andhigher-degree frostbite who had been treated at our medical institution between 2010 and2012.Results Our clinical series of patients (n=17) included 13 men and four women, whosemean age was 42.4±11.6 years (range, 22-67 years). The sites of injury include the foot in sixpatients (35.3%), the hand in six patients (35.3%) and the facial region in five patients (29.4%).Seven patients with second-degree frostbite were completely cured with only conservativetreatment during a mean period of 12.7±3.3 days (range, 8-16 days). Of the five patients withthird-degree frostbite, two underwent skin grafting following debridement, and the remainingthree achieved a complete cure with conservative treatment during a mean period of 35±4.3days (range, 29-39 days). Five patients with fourth-degree frostbite were treated with surgicalprocedures including amputation.Conclusions With the appropriate conservative management in the early stage of onset,surgeons should decide on surgery after waiting for a sufficient period of time until thedemarcation of the wound. Continuous management of patients is also needed to achievefunctional recovery after a complete cure has been achieved. This should also be accompaniedby patient education for the avoidance of re-exposure to cold environments