Postoperative ramifications of total ear replantation

Complete avulsion of the external ear, much less common than other minor ea r trauma, presents a complex and difficult problem. The authors present a 3 5-year-old male cigarette smoker who suffered traumatic avulsion of the rig ht ear, and describe the replantation procedure and the patient's postopera tive course. Aesthetic positioning of the replanted ear, treating the exter nal auditory meatus, protecting the ear against exposure to the sun, and co unseling the patient about issues related to sensation are important factor s in the care of patients who have undergone such a procedure.