Chemical Injuries and Frostbite-Case: Chemical Injuries and Frostbite

Case: Chemical Injuries and Frostbite

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Summary:<br /><br />This document discusses the initial presentation, subsequent treatment, and summary of a 36-year-old male who experienced chemical injuries and frostbite after being found in a snowbank. <br /><br />The initial management of the patient includes removing all cold/wet clothing and restoring core temperature. Rapid rewarming of the affected hand is initiated once the core temperature is stable above 35°C. The administration of tetanus prophylaxis, analgesics, and penicillin is also recommended early on. <br /><br />To predict the level of subsequent amputation, a triple-phase technetium-Tc99m bone scan can be used. It helps in determining the extent of tissue damage and can assist in determining the ultimate amputation level. <br /><br />Indications for early amputation include extensive tissue necrosis, severe infection, or when successful limb salvage is unlikely. <br /><br />In the case of a skeletally immature patient, additional concerns may arise. Growth plate injuries, epiphyseal damage, or growth arrest must be carefully evaluated because they can affect long-term limb function. <br /><br />In summary, the initial management of chemical injuries and frostbite involves core temperature restoration, rapid rewarming, and administration of prophylactic medications. The use of a bone scan can predict amputation levels, and considerations for skeletally immature patients are necessary.

Keywords

chemical injuries

frostbite

snowbank

core temperature restoration

rapid rewarming

amputation

tissue damage

limb salvage

skeletally immature patient

bone scan