Single-vessel arteriovenous revascularization of the amputated ear

Successful single-vessel arteriovenous replantation of a completely amputat ed human ear is described. This result was followed by an experimental stud y using a rabbit model, to confirm that an amputated ear could survive repl antation with only a single arteriovenous anastomosis. Fifteen animals were placed in one of two experimental groups: Group 1-arteriovenous replantati on, no treatment (n = 6); and Group 2-arteriovenous replantation with medic inal leeching (n = 9). All ears demonstrated initial reperfusion of the rep lantation immediately following microanastomosis. Laser Doppler flow readin gs in the non-leeched replanted ears fell to zero by 8 hr and, by 12 hr, th e non-leeched ears demonstrated signs of necrosis. All the leeched, replant ed ears demonstrated perfusion and complete viability at the time of sacrif ice. The case report, combined with the results from the experimental study , confirm that single-vessel arteriovenous replantation of an amputated ear is feasible.