Microwave Diathermy Treatment of Frostbite

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Abstract
24 rabbits had one hind leg exposed to an alcohol bath at -12[degree] C for 30 min., of which 12 were immediately rewarmed with diathermy and 12 were thawed in air at room temp. as controls. At the end of 4 wks. avg. muscle necrosis in the exposed leg was 1.3 [plus or minus] 0.5% in the diathermy-treated and 5.0 [plus or minus] 1.3% in the controls. 54 rabbits were similarly exposed to -15[degree] C for 30 min., of which 27 were immediately thawed with diathermy and 27 were thawed at room temp. as controls. The animals were sacrificed on the 8th or 9th day after exposure. In 25 surviving diathermy-treated animals, the extent of skin necrosis was 4.6 [plus or minus] 1.5 sq. cm. compared to 13.3 [plus or minus] 2.1 sq. cm. in the 24 surviving controls. The extent of muscle necrosis was 45.7 [plus or minus] 4.4% in the diathermy-treated and 61.9 [plus or minus] 4.0% in the controls. Diathermy treatment decreased necrosis.