Ice Packs and Skin Perfusion

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The simple ice pack - a staple in both human and veterinary medicine for reducing pain and swelling. But what if this common therapy has unexpected consequences for healing? Soft tissue surgeon Dr. Vanna Dickerson and veterinary student Gabriella Hansen join us to discuss their fascinating research on how ice packs affect blood flow in canine skin.

For years, surgeons have cautioned against using ice after delicate skin procedures like flaps and grafts, believing it might compromise blood flow. However, this advice lacked scientific backing until now. Through precise measurements using laser speckle contrast imaging, Dr. Dickerson and Hansen discovered that ice application reduces skin perfusion by 10-15% compared to baseline - and surprisingly, in some dogs, blood flow remained decreased even 15 minutes after the ice was removed.

This groundbreaking work confirms what many surgeons suspected but couldn't prove, giving veterinarians evidence-based guidance for post-operative care decisions. Dr. Dickerson and Hansen emphasize that ice remains valuable for pain control in most situations, but surgeons should exercise caution in cases where even small perfusion decreases could jeopardize healing. For pet owners, understanding these nuances helps explain why your veterinarian might specifically recommend for or against icing in different scenarios.

Beyond the clinical findings, Dr. Dickerson and Hansen offer valuable insights for veterinary students interested in research, encouraging them to find mentors and emphasizing that meaningful studies don't require complex laboratory setups. Their work exemplifies how asking simple questions about everyday practices can lead to significant improvements in patient care. Listen now to discover how this common therapy affects your pet's healing and what questions still remain for future investigation.

AJVR article: https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.25.01.0023

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