Successful partial ear replantation after prolonged ischaemia time

Abstract

We present the case of a 34-year-old male patient who had successful replantation of upper pole of pinna 33 h after amputation. As no vein was anastomosed, systemic heparinisation and subcutaneous injection of heparin to the replanted ear were used to encourage outflow. Complications included arterial spasm and bleeding. Management of similar cases as planned urgent cases rather than emergency cases is discussed. (C) 2000 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.