Patient and treatment characteristics that predict symptom resolution and limb amputation in patients with frostbite

To describe imaging and treatment received by frostbite patients and determine characteristics that predict symptom resolution and limb amputation.

This retrospective study included 174 adult patients with acute frostbite at a single institution from May 1, 2004, to August 31, 2019. Demographics, frostbite classification, symptoms present and imaging received at presentation, treatment received, and dates of symptom resolution, were collected.

Patients most commonly received no imaging (60.3 %), followed by x-ray (28.7 %). The most common treatments were debridement (53.4 %), none (24.1 %), other (15.5 %), antibiotics (12.6 %), and tPA (8.0 %). Of 17 who had a limb amputated, the number of affected extremities (p = 0.003), frostbite degree (p = 0.004), and baseline symptoms of abnormal skin color change (p = 0.028), absence of pulse (p = 0.021), swelling (p = 0.010), and necrosis/gangrene (p = 0.002) significantly increased the risk of limb amputation. tPA lowered the risk of limb amputation with an estimated hazard ratio of 0.193 (p = 0.003).

Patients received a variety of treatments and imaging for frostbite. tPA was not often used in this study but could play a larger role in the treatment of frostbite since it was shown to lower the risk of limb amputation.