Microsurgical replantation and postoperative leech treatment of a large severed nasal segment

Abstract

The survival of a microsurgically replanted segment of nose in a 41-year-old woman was facilitated by the assistance of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis. An arterial microanastomosis was made to a severed partial segment of nose with no possibility of recreating a venous anastomosis. The resulting venous congestion was treated with nine days of treatment with a medical leech until venous neovascularisation had been achieved. At follow-up six months after discharge there was a well-heeled nasal segment and a satisfying functional - as well as cosmetic - result.

Key Words::

• Replantation
• nasal trauma
• super microsurgery
• microsurgery
• venous congestion
• leech treatment
• Hirudo medicinalis
• aeromonas hydrophila