Treatment of experimental frostbite with pentoxifylline and aloe vera cream.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the therapeutic effects of systemic pentoxifylline and topical aloe vera cream in the treatment of frostbite.


METHODS
The frostbitten ears of 10 New Zealand white rabbits were assigned to one of four treatment groups: untreated controls, those treated with aloe vera cream, those treated with pentoxifylline, and those treated with aloe vera cream and pentoxifylline.


METHODS
Tissue survival was calculated as the percent of total frostbite area that remained after 2 weeks.


RESULTS
The control group had a 6% tissue survival. Tissue survival was notably improved with pentoxifylline (20%), better with aloe vera cream (24%), and the best with the combination therapy (30%).


CONCLUSIONS
Pentoxifylline is as effective as aloe vera cream in improving tissue survival after frostbite injury.
Miller
M B
MB
Division of Otolaryngology, Albany (NY) Medical College, USA.
Koltai
P J
PJ
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000504:Aloe; D000818:Animals; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005627:Frostbite / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011817:Rabbits; D014022:Tissue Survival / Q000187:drug effects
D009824:Ointments; D010431:Pentoxifylline