Frostbite in Saskatoon: a review of 10 winters

In a review of 101 patients suffering from frostbite who were admitted to hospitals in Saskatoon during 10 winters, it was found that alcohol consumption was a contributing factor in 39 patients and a motor vehicle accident or breakdown in 33 others. Sixty-six patients underwent primary treatment in Saskatoon, the other 35 were referred for management of demarcated gangrene. Two hospitalized patients died, both of causes unrelated to the frostbite. The preliminary results of bone scanning with radioactive technetium methylene diphosphonate in frostbitten patients suggest that this is not a good prognostic indicator of the ultimate extent of tissue loss until 5 days have elapsed from the time of exposure. The lesion appeared to decrease in extent and increase in depth over a 3-week period. The mainstays of treatment remain rapid rewarming and adequate delay before conservative débridement or amputation. The delay allows healing of partial-thickness injuries and demarcation of full-thickness injuries. One third of patients receiving primary care in Saskatoon required amputation.