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Frostbite depth and extent predict amputation

Early clinical predictors of amputation in frostbite: injury depth and extent for admission risk stratification
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine · Added 15 September 2026

Retrospective cohort of 128 frostbite admissions in eastern Turkey — injury depth drove amputation risk (81.5% of third-degree injuries required amputation vs 1.6% of first/second-degree), and combining degree with %TBSA predicted amputation at admission (AUC 0.948), while inflammatory markers added nothing after adjustment.

Study type

Cohort

Design

Retrospective single-centre cohort

Participants

128 patients admitted with frostbite to a tertiary hospital in eastern Turkey (98.4% foreign nationals)

Main finding

Amputation in 42.2%; 81.5% of third-degree injuries required amputation versus 1.6% of first/second-degree (AUC 0.910); %TBSA independently associated with amputation (adjusted OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.59–3.32); combined degree and %TBSA predicted amputation at admission (AUC 0.948); PNI and NLR added no prognostic value.

Caveat

Retrospective single-centre cohort with a highly selected, predominantly migrant population; not prehospital or Australian.

Bottom line

Context only

Learning goal

Recognise frostbite injury depth and extent as predictors of amputation risk when assessing affected patients.

More

• Topic: Trauma
• Daily scan: 15 September 2026

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