Cold Injury of the Extremities

Abstract

Cold injuries may be classified into two broad groups: (1) frostbite, which is due to the cytotoxic effect of intense cold, and (2) the trench foot syndrome which is due to capillary damage, thrombosis and vasospasm following exposure to less than cytotoxic cold. Frostbite is the only cold injury of significance seen in nonmilitary medical practice. It is best treated by rapid thawing and therapeutic nihilism. When amputation is necessary, the stump should be conized and the skin flaps, if viable, should be preserved and used to cover the end of the stump.