Microvascular replantation of a traumatically amputated ear
Case report published in Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery (1996)
Abstract
We describe the replantation of a traumatically severed auricle using microvascular anastomosis to reestablish blood flow to the ear. Microvascular reattachment of the severed auricle occurred 10 hours after the trauma. Postoperatively, adjunctive measures, including anticoagulation and the use of medicinal leeches, were used to relieve venous congestion of the replanted auricle. The replanted auricle healed completely with 100% survival, resulting in an essentially normal-appearing external ear. In the management of a traumatically severed auricle, microvascular replantation should be considered as the intervention of first choice in selected cases. If the procedure is successful, the cosmetic results are excellent; if it is not successful, a number of other reconstructive techniques remain as options.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Ten hours after traumatic amputation, a severed ear was reattached using microvascular surgery; anticoagulants and medicinal leeches managed venous congestion afterward, and the ear fully survived with a near-normal cosmetic appearance.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This case report describes the microvascular replantation of a traumatically severed auricle, reattached 10 hours after trauma using microvascular anastomosis. Postoperatively, adjunctive measures including anticoagulation and medicinal leeches were used to relieve venous congestion of the replanted auricle, which healed completely with 100% survival and an essentially normal-appearing external ear. The article documents the use of medicinal leeches to manage venous congestion in a microsurgical replantation setting. Caveat: This is a single case report; the individual contribution of leech therapy versus surgical technique or anticoagulation to the successful outcome cannot be isolated from the report.
Citation
Reference (Vancouver style)
Funk GF, Bauman NM, Rinehart RJ, Mankarious LA. Microvascular replantation of a traumatically amputated ear. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;122(2):184-186. doi:10.1001/archotol.1996.01890140070013. PMID: 8630213
Bibliographic details (authors, volume, pages, DOI) are taken from the PubMed record.
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