Supramicrosurgical ear replantation: case report
Case report published in J Reconstr Microsurg (2002)
Abstract
Successful microvascular ear replantation is rarely reported, and most of the time involves the use of leeches for venous congestion. A case of microvascular replantation of the ear is reported in which two arterial inflow anastomoses and two outflow anastomoses (venovenous and arteriovenous) were performed. Postoperative, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was given. The replant was 100 percent successful, and no venous congestion developed.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Microvascular replantation of avulsed ear with two arterial inflow + two outflow (venovenous + arteriovenous) anastomoses and PGE1 yielding 100% successful replant without venous congestion.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This case report describes successful microvascular ear replantation using two arterial inflow and two outflow anastomoses with postoperative prostaglandin E1, achieving complete success without venous congestion. The authors note that successful ear replantation is rarely reported and typically involves the use of leeches for managing venous congestion. For ASH, this underscores hirudotherapy as a recognized adjunct in ear replantation when venous drainage is inadequate, while also demonstrating that sufficient surgical outflow reconstruction may obviate the need for leech use. Caveat: this is a single case report; the abstract does not describe or evaluate leech therapy directly, and leeches were apparently not used in this particular case.
Citation
Supramicrosurgical ear replantation: case report.
Cavadas PC · Journal of reconstructive microsurgery, 2002
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