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Book

Hyperbaric Management of Frostbite

Marc Robins, Stephen Hendriksen  1 , Jeffrey S. Cooper  2
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
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Free Books & Documents
Book

Hyperbaric Management of Frostbite

Marc Robins et al.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

Although evidence for treating frostbite with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is limited, primarily based on case reports and inadequate animal studies, a plausible mechanism of action supports its potential effectiveness. Early initiation of HBOT following rewarming may offer additional benefits. However, animal studies typically involve rapid freezing of tissues, leading to deeper and nearly immediate tissue destruction. This model differs from the slower, progressive freezing observed in human clinical cases of frostbite.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Marc Robins declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Stephen Hendriksen declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Jeffrey Cooper declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

References

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    1. Okuboye JA, Ferguson CC. The use of hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of experimental frostbite. Can J Surg. 1968 Jan;11(1):78-84. - PubMed
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    1. Irarrázaval S, Besa P, Cauchy E, Pandey P, Vergara J. Case Report of Frostbite with Delay in Evacuation: Field Use of Iloprost Might Have Improved the Outcome. High Alt Med Biol. 2018 Dec;19(4):382-387. - PubMed

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