Summary: A 45-year-old, white male patient who suffered a complete avulsion of the upper two-thirds of his right ear. The ear was reattached by doing a microvascular anastomosis of a small artery anteriorly. No veins were available for anastomosis. Soon after anastomosis, there was obvious venous congestion. Medicinal leeches were used for treating venous congestion.
48 Hours Postoperatively:
3 leeches have been applied every 8 hours.
Following the initial application, obvious improvement was noted.
24 Hours Postoperatively:
The photograph shows severe venous congestion in the reimplanted ear following complete avulsion.
6 Days Postoperatively:
The entire reimplanted ear was viable and healing well.
72 Hours Postoperatively:
3 leeches have been applied every 8 hours for periods of 15 to 30 minutes. Marked improvement in color with decreased swelling and congestion was noted.
Two Months Postoperatively:
Complete survival of re-attached ear