[Freezing an acutely necrotized extremity for the purpose of preparing the patient for amputation].

102 patients of a high operative risk were prepared for amputation of a lower extremity with acute ischemic gangrene by its freezing and tourniquet application. A special portable freezing chamber was used in most cases which could be installed in any surgical hospital. The refrigeration ranged from 18 hours to 14 days.

[Cooling of the extremities in acute ischemic gangrene].

This is a report on 39 patients (from 36 to 84 years of age) with acute ischemic gangrene of the lower limbs and severe concomitant diseases (ischemic heart disease, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, etc.). Cooling of the necrotic limb with the application of a tourniquet and general nonoperative treatment were conducted in preparation for amputation.