

FOLLOWUS
The Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, 78216, USA
General Surgery, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Fort Bliss, TX 79906, USA
United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA
*Kristo Nuutila, kristo.j.nuutila.ctr@health.mil
Received:24 September 2025,
Revised:2026-03-06,
Published:2026-03
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Obaidi N, Agee O, Yau I, Moritz R, Nuutila K. Frostbite: diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and future directions. Mil Med Res. 2026;13(1):100007.
Obaidi N, Agee O, Yau I, Moritz R, Nuutila K. Frostbite: diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and future directions. Mil Med Res. 2026;13(1):100007. DOI: 10.1016/j.mmr.2026.100007.
From cold-weather training to deployments in high altitude and arctic conditions
frostbite injury and its sequelae remain a serious concern in military operations. Frostbite harms tissue in two distinct ways. The first involves ice crystal formation within tissue
resulting in mechanical damage and ischemia. The second occurs secondary to the inflammatory and prothrombotic state caused by reperfusion from rewarming frozen tissue. Frostbite injuries can be classified in a number of ways
but no perfect system exists. Initial work-up and diagnosis are primarily clinical. However
in equipped treatment facilities
advanced imaging modalities such as technetium-99m (
99m
Tc) bone scintigraphy
magnetic resonance angiography
single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT)
and more can play a role in diagnosis and treatment. In resource-constrained environments
such as the deployed setting
management should involve an algorithmic approach. After concurrent hypothermia and/or trauma have been evaluated for and treated
active rewarming should take place so long as there is no risk of refreezing. During re-warming
surgical consultation
and evacuation considerations should be considered. Once evacuated to a definitive treatment facility
thrombolytic as well as other therapies may be indicated. Unless there is evidence of severe damage or infection
surgical management is typically delayed until injury margins are fully demarcated. Longer-term prognosis is dependent on severity
with deeper injuries often resulting in longer hospital stays
more amputations
and chronic disability. Looking forward
future frostbite research should aim to bridge field and hospital care with the goal of minimizing tissue loss and accelerating functional recovery.
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