title: Frostbite: its diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: The treatment, diagnosis, and outcome of frostbite victims is by no means an exact science. As this presentation shows, most authors agree that the key to control and treatment of cold injury comes from a reversal of the damage to the microvasculature (19). The methods of diagnosis of the extent of damage are all based on determination of vascular status whether it be tissue or bony structures. Treatment varies widely but rapid rewarming of the affected tissues is by far the most successful treatment to minimize tissue loss. As in the case study presented here, when surgical amputation is necessary, one must take mechanical function into account as well as the line of demarcation in order to give a functional limb for rehabilitation and to prevent the possibility of subjecting the patient to unnecessary repetitive surgical procedures.
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001775:Blood Circulation; D001831:Body Temperature; D003646:Debridement; D005627:Frostbite / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008684:Metatarsus / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged