American Society of Hirudotherapy

Successful replantation of an avulsed frontal scalp through microvascular anastomoses of only one artery and one vein: a case report

Case report published in Arch Craniofac Surg (2024)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Case reportClinical LiteratureKim et al. · Archives of craniofacial surgery, 2024

Abstract

Scalp avulsion is a devastating injury. The best possible procedure is replantation. Several successful scalp replantations with anastomoses of several vessels in large defects have been reported. In this report, we present a case of replantation of a large scalp avulsion using revascularizing with only one artery and vein. Despite the initial signs of flap congestion, we could predict the survival of the replanted scalp and terminate the procedure after detecting good perfusion and washout with indocyanine green fluorescence imaging. The procedure was successful following the patient's recovery of sensory and sweating functions without complications such as flap necrosis or infection. Several important factors for successful scalp replantation with positive esthetic and functional outcomes were considered.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeCase ReportsJournal Article

Summary

Case report of successful replantation of a large avulsed frontal scalp revascularized with a single artery and vein, where indocyanine green fluorescence imaging confirmed perfusion despite early flap congestion.

Context

This case report describes the successful replantation of a large scalp avulsion in a single patient through revascularization using only one artery and one vein. The abstract notes that despite initial signs of flap congestion, good perfusion and washout were detected using indocyanine green fluorescence imaging, and the procedure was ultimately successful. The patient recovered sensory and sweating functions without complications such as flap necrosis or infection. The abstract makes no mention of leeches, hirudotherapy, or the leech secretome.

Citation

Reference (Vancouver style)

Kim D, Oh S, Jeong WS. Successful replantation of an avulsed frontal scalp through microvascular anastomoses of only one artery and one vein: a case report. Arch Craniofac Surg. 2024;25(2):95-98. doi:10.7181/acfs.2023.00122. PMID: 38742337

Bibliographic details (authors, volume, pages, DOI) are taken from the PubMed record.

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