Primary reattachment of near-complete ear amputation: a successful outcome
Retrospective study published in Ear Nose Throat J (2020)
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Traumatic amputation of the ear constitutes a great aesthetic deformity that can have a tremendous negative impact. Reports describing the survival of near-complete ear amputation using non-microsurgical replantation are scarce. We aimed to study the surgical outcome of patients with near-complete ear amputations supplied by small pedicle bridges that were treated with primary reattachment. METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients with near-complete ear amputation who were admitted at Al Ain Hospital from January 2016 to December 2019. RESULTS: Five patients were studied. The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle injury, followed by cutting injury. The skin pedicle was inferior in 3 (60%) patients of patients. The median width of the skin pedicles was 8.5 mm. The median interval between the injury and the surgical management was 4 hours. All patients underwent primary reattachment of the ear without microsurgery. One patient developed a small area of necrosis of the ear lobe. All patients recovered with a completely healed pinna and satisfactory overall appearance. CONCLUSIONS: Primary reattachment without microsurgery of the near-complete ear amputation can be safely performed in the presence of an intact skin pedicle. It can achieve an aesthetically satisfactory outcome without severe complications.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
5 patients with near-complete ear amputation treated by non-microsurgical primary reattachment with intact skin pedicles. All recovered with completely healed pinnas.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This retrospective study examined five patients with near-complete ear amputations who were treated with primary reattachment without microsurgery, reporting that all patients recovered with a completely healed pinna and satisfactory overall appearance. While the study focuses on surgical outcomes for ear reattachment, the abstract makes absolutely no mention of leech therapy, hirudotherapy, or venous congestion management. Therefore, its relevance to ASH's domain is limited to the broader context of tissue reattachment and reconstructive surgery. No leeches or biological adjuncts were involved or discussed in the management protocol described by this study.
Citation
Primary reattachment of near-complete ear amputation: a successful outcome.
D'Arcangelo M et al. · Ear, nose, & throat journal, 2020
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