Undersea Hyperbar M
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Undersea Hyperbar M · Jan 2014
Review Case ReportsFrostbite of both first digits of the foot treated with delayed hyperbaric oxygen:a case report and review of literature.
Frostbite is an uncommon event that can occur from exposure to temperatures below -4 degrees C and can lead to potential serious tissue damage and necrosis. This in turn can result in debilitating amputations in otherwise healthy people. The pathophysiological mechanisms of frostbite have marked similarities to those seen in thermal burns, ischemia/reperfusion injuries and crush injuries--i.e., non-healing wounds and inflammatory processes. These injuries are commonly treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. ⋯ Based on our case report as well as the literature and the mechanisms of hyperbaric oxygen, we make the recommendation that this therapy be considered as an addition to the multidisciplinary treatment of frostbite, even after significant delay of treatment.