[Continuous sympathetic blockade in frostbite of the extremities].

Continuous epidural anesthesia, started 6 h after severe cold injury of the extremities and continued for 3 days, resulted in complete clinical remission of the frozen areas of the feet. In contrast, repeated stellate ganglion block, started 72 h after cold injury, failed to prevent the development of necroses in the frozen parts of the hands, so that plastic surgery was required.