Cold injury.

Abstract

The pathophysiology of true frostbite reveals that the direct injury produced during the initial freeze process has a minor contribution to the global tissue damage. However, rapid rewarming to reverse the tissue crystallization has essentially been the lone frostbite intervention for almost half a century. The major pathologic process is the progressive microvascular thrombosis following reperfusion of the ischemic limb, with the cold-damaged endothelial cells playing a central role in the outcome of these frozen tissues. Newer interventions offer the opportunity to combat this process, and this article offers a scientific approach to frostbite injuries of the upper extremities.

• Authors: Wm J Mohr, Kamrun Jenabzadeh, David H Ahrenholz
• Journal: Hand clinics (Hand Clin) Vol. 25 Issue 4 Pg. 481-96 (Nov 2009) ISSN: 1558-1969 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19801122 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Body Temperature Regulation (physiology)
• Frostbite (epidemiology, immunology, physiopathology, therapy)
• Humans
• Prognosis
• Regional Blood Flow
• Risk Factors
• Skin (blood supply)
• Thrombolytic Therapy
• Vasoconstriction (physiology)