Experience in microsurgical treatment of complete scalp avulsion
Case series published in Ann Plast Surg (2023)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Avulsion of the scalp is a rare destructive event worldwide. Before the emergence of microsurgery, skin transplantation, flap transplantation, greater omentum transplantation, and other methods were once widely used. However, replantation offers the optimum reconstruction. METHODS: Six cases of complete avulsion injury of a large scalp treated from May 2017 to May 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Under the microsurgery technology, the wound was cleaned and explored, and the appropriate arteriovenous anastomosis was selected. Preoperative blood preparation and skin preparation were actively performed. Postoperative strict nursing and observation of the blood supply of replanted scalp were performed. Regular outpatient follow-up after discharge was performed. RESULTS: Replantation was successful in 5 cases and failed in 1 case, and in 1 case the occipital scalp (approximately 10% of the scalp area) died and crusted 2 months after the operation. After 6 to 24 months of follow-up, all patients were satisfied with the reconstructed appearance. CONCLUSIONS: Superb microsurgical technique and more detailed anatomical knowledge are the key conditions for successful complete scalp avulsion replantation. Compared with other methods, successful replantation can achieve the best aesthetic and functional results.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Single-institution case series of complete-scalp-avulsion microsurgical treatment with outcome analysis.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This retrospective study analyzed six cases of complete scalp avulsion treated with microsurgical replantation between May 2017 and May 2020, reporting successful replantation in five cases and patient satisfaction with reconstructed appearance over 6–24 months of follow-up. The abstract focuses entirely on microsurgical technique, arteriovenous anastomosis selection, preoperative preparation, and postoperative care. For ASH's domain, the article has no defensible connection—leeches, hirudotherapy, and the leech secretome are not mentioned anywhere in the abstract. The study is relevant only to reconstructive microsurgical outcomes and provides no evidence regarding leech therapy.
Citation
Experience in microsurgical treatment of complete scalp avulsion.
Lin et al. · Annals of plastic surgery, 2023
Added to ASH library: May 27, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026