American Society of Hirudotherapy

Successful replantation of an avulsed frontal scalp through microvascular anastomosis

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 TrialsKim 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

Frontal scalp avulsion successfully replanted via microvascular anastomosis with adjunctive postoperative care.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

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. This article has no defensible relevance to ASH's domain.

Citation

Successful replantation of an avulsed frontal scalp through microvascular anastomosis.

Kim et al. · Archives of craniofacial surgery, 2024

Added to ASH library: May 27, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

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