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Complete ear replantation without venous anastomosis
Author(s) -
Nath Rahul K.,
Kraemer Bruce A.,
Azizzadeh Ali
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2752(1998)18:4<282::aid-micr13>3.0.co;2-u
Subject(s) - medicine , replantation , leech , surgery , auricle , anastomosis , amputation , microsurgery , anatomy , world wide web , computer science
Traumatic amputation of the entire auricle is a rare occurrence. Management ideally consists of microvascular reconstruction of auricular arterial, venous, and nerve continuity. However, appropriately sized veins are often not available and venous drainage must be accomplished with leech therapy. In occasional cases where leeches are unavailable or cannot be made to attach, mechanical drainage and anticoagulation can give satisfactory drainage. The authors present a case of mechanical wick venous drainage of a complete ear replantation, resulting in virtually normal appearance and function of the ear. In addition, the ear regained normal touch and two‐point sensibility, although the great auricular nerve had not been repaired. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 18:282–285, 1998