Salvage of avascular bone from frostbite with free tissue transfer.

Abstract

Traditional management of frostbite injury of the hands and fingers has been to allow demarcation to occur between viable and nonviable tissues, corresponding to the level of amputation required. In this case report, phalangeal length in mummified digits was maintained with free tissue transfer followed by evidence of bony revascularization on bone scan. Rather than waiting for tissue demarcation to occur, the authors propose that consideration be given to debridement of soft tissues in the frostbitten fingers followed by free tissue transfer to salvage length and function in the digital bony skeleton.