Sociedad Americana de Hirudoterapia

Single-vessel arteriovenous revascularization of the amputated ear

Case report published in J Reconstr Microsurg (1999)

Última actualización: June 18, 2026Revisado por: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Case reportEnsayos clínicosSeguridad y control de infeccionesZamboni WA et al. · J Reconstr Microsurg, 1999

Abstract

Successful single-vessel arteriovenous replantation of a completely amputated human ear is described. This result was followed by an experimental study using a rabbit model, to confirm that an amputated ear could survive replantation with only a single arteriovenous anastomosis. Fifteen animals were placed in one of two experimental groups: Group 1-arteriovenous replantation, no treatment (n = 6); and Group 2-arteriovenous replantation with medicinal leeching (n = 9). All ears demonstrated initial reperfusion of the replantation immediately following microanastomosis. Laser Doppler flow readings in the non-leeched replanted ears fell to zero by 8 hr and, by 12 hr, the non-leeched ears demonstrated signs of necrosis. All the leeched, replanted ears demonstrated perfusion and complete viability at the time of sacrifice. The case report, combined with the results from the experimental study, confirm that single-vessel arteriovenous replantation of an amputated ear is feasible.

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

Publication typeCase ReportsJournal Article
Indexed MeSH termsAdultAmputation, TraumaticAnimalsArteriovenous Shunt, SurgicalBlood Vessel Prosthesis ImplantationDisease Models, AnimalEarEstheticsFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleRabbits

Resumen

Successful single-vessel arteriovenous replantation of a completely amputated human ear; rabbit study confirms that an amputated ear can survive with only a single arteriovenous anastomosis when supplemented with leeching.

Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia

This case report details a successful single-vessel arteriovenous replantation of an amputated human ear, followed by an experimental study using a rabbit model. In the experimental phase, researchers compared replanted ears with and without the application of medicinal leeching. They found that all leeched ears maintained complete viability and perfusion, whereas non-leeched ears lost perfusion and demonstrated signs of necrosis. This study is highly relevant to the American Society of Hirudotherapy as it directly experimentally demonstrates the efficacy of medicinal leeching in improving tissue survival following complex microsurgical replantation. The primary limitation is that the experimental evidence is derived from an animal model combined with a single human case report.

Citación

Single-vessel arteriovenous revascularization of the amputated ear.

Zamboni WA et al. · J Reconstr Microsurg, 1999

DOI

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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026

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