OBJECTIVETo retrospectively survey frostbite in patients living in plain regions, and to analyze the features of frostbite and the results after hospitalization.

METHODSFifty-nine patients with frostbite, aged from 15 to 85 years admitted in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from 1992 to 2007, were enrolled in this study. Occupation, cause of the injury, initial visit time, position and degree of depth (assessed according to the standard of burn injury) of frostbite, and amputation rate of patients were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSMost patients of the 59 cases were workers or unemployed, the main reasons of injury were prolonged contact with material in a low temperature, with impaired consciousness, and having an out-door activity. The average first visit time was 11 days after the exposure. Frostbite was superficial 2(nd) to deep 2(nd) degree in 12 patients, while 47 patients were found to have 3(rd) to 4(th) degree injury. Limbs, or fingers and toes were amputated from 40 patients. The differences between patients visited within 3 days after frostbite and patients visited later than 3 days in respect of degree of depth of frostbite and amputation rate were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in amputation rates in different body parts of frostbite (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPatients in plain regions mainly suffer frostbite at the distal portions of the extremities. They should visit hospital early after injury so that the degree of frostbite can be alleviated and rate of amputation can be lowered.