Replantation of Amputated Ear

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 2005;14(2):112-116.
Published online October 31, 2005.

Sung Mo Chung, M.D., Chung Sang Bae, M.D. Nae Ho Lee, M.D., Kyung Moo Yang, M.D.

완전 절단된 외이의 재접합

정성모·배충상·이내호·양경무

Abstract

   The auricle is easy to be amputated in the face due to its protruding position. When facial parts are amputated, the mechanism of injury usually involves some form of avulsion, which damages these fragile vessels over a distance and renders them unsuitable for anastomosis. Replantation of the ear remains a challenging problem because of the tiny vessels and the paucity of adequate veins for anastomosis. Reattachment as a composite graft of the total or subtotal amputated ear is unreliable. Microsurgical replantation can be performed in a minority of cases because of technical difficulties and long operation time.
   In this article, the authors report two case of a successful ear replantation of completely amputated auricle. Only one artery and one vein were anastomosed in first case. In the other case one artery was anastomosed without vein. Instead of venous repair, multiple incision was done with leech application therapy. and the outcome was successful.
   In spite of the technical difficulties and long operation time, microsurgical replantation of amputated ear is better than other reconstructive method or reattachment without microsurgery.

Key Words: Amputated ear, Replantation