Reattachment of Partially Amputated Ear Based On 7 mm-wide Small Skin Pedicle without Vascular Anastomosis

Wang, Jae Kwon; Lee, Sang Woo

Abstract

PURPOSE
It has been reported that the ear perfusion can maintain by a very small pedicle because the ear has good vascularized system. Replantation of an amputated ear with vascular anastmosis, has been reported before and offers the succeessful reconstructive results. But, in this paper we report a case of complete nonmicrosurgical salvage of a nearly amputated ear based on 7 mm-wide small skin pedicle with adjunctive therapies.
METHODS
A 49-year-old man was referred with a nearly complete detachment of left ear. The blood supply to the ear was maintained exclusively on 7 mm-wide small skin pedicle in the lobule. After we identified the fresh bleeding at the distal margin of the detached ear, we performed the primary repair. At the end of the procedure, the areas of the concha bowl and helical root appeared to be congested. So the immediate postoperative treatment for improving the tissue survival was done with Lipo-Prostaglandin E1 (Eglandin(R)) injection, leech apply and antibiotics medications.
RESULTS
Assessment of the replanted ear on postoperative day 14 revealed a nearly viable auricle including the helical root. The ear appeared to be entirely healed, with excellent projection and fully restored normal elasticity.
CONCLUSION
We found the complete salvage of a nearly amputated ear based on 7 mm-wide small skin pedicle with adjunctive therapies including Lipo-Prostaglandin E1 (Eglandin(R)) injection, leech apply and antibiotics without microsurgery.