Successful microvascular replantation of a completely amputated ear

This case report presents successful microvascular replantation of a traumatically amputated ear, complicated postoperatively by venous thrombosis that was managed with medicinal leeches and systemic heparinization. The authors identify this as the tenth successful microvascular ear replantation reported in the literature. For ASH's domain, this case provides direct clinical evidence of leech therapy as a salvage modality for venous thrombosis following microvascular replantation of the ear. The key caveat is that this is a single case report, the lowest level of clinical evidence, and leech therapy was used as part of a combined approach with systemic heparinization, so the independent contribution of leeching cannot be determined. No details regarding leech therapy parameters, duration, or associated complications are provided in the abstract.