Reduction of the incidence of amputation in frostbite injury with thrombolytic therapy.
OBJECTIVE
Thrombolytic therapy will decrease the incidence of amputation when administered within 24 hours of exposure.


METHODS
Single institution retrospective review of clinical outcomes and resource use.


METHODS
Burn unit of a tertiary academic referral center.


METHODS
From 2001 to 2006, patients with severe frostbite admitted within 48 hours of injury underwent digital angiography and treatment with intra-arterial tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) if abnormal perfusion was demonstrated. These patients were compared with those treated from 1995 to 2006 who did not receive tPA.


METHODS
Tissue plasminogen activator vs traditional management of frostbite injury.


METHODS
Number and type of surgery were recorded, along with amputations of digits (fingers or toes) and more proximal (ray, transmetatarsal, or below-knee) amputations. Resource utilization including length of stay, total costs, cost per involved digit, and cost per saved digit were analyzed.


RESULTS
Thirty-two patients with digital involvement (hands, 19%; feet, 62%; both, 19%) were identified. Seven patients received tPA, 6 within 24 hours of injury. The incidence of digital amputation in patients who did not receive tPA was 41%. In those patients who received tPA within 24 hours of injury, the incidence of amputation was reduced to 10% (P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Tissue plasminogen activator improved tissue perfusion and reduced amputations when administered within 24 hours of injury. This modality represents the first clinically significant advancement in the treatment of frostbite in more than 25 years.
Bruen
Kevin J
KJ
Department of Surgery 3B-306, University of Utah Health Center, 50 N Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
Ballard
James R
JR
Morris
Stephen E
SE
Cochran
Amalia
A
Edelman
Linda S
LS
Saffle
Jeffrey R
JR
D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005627:Frostbite / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator