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Head & Face Medicine 2006
Nonmicrosurgical reconstruction of the auricle after traumatic amputation due to human biteAbstract: We present two cases, one of a partial and one of a total traumatic auricular amputation, both caused by human bites, that were successfully managed in our Department. The technique of ear reattachment as a composite graft, with partial burial of the amputated part in the retroauricular region, as first described by Baudet, was followed in both cases.The prementioned technique is described in detail, along with the postoperative management and outcome of the patients. In addition, a brief review of the international literature regarding ear replantation is performed.The Baudet technique has been used successfully in two cases of traumatic ear amputation due to human bites. It is a simple technique, without the need for microsurgery, and produces excellent aesthetic results, while preserving all neighboring tissues in case of failure with subsequent need for another operation.The traumatic loss of an ear constitutes a great aesthetic deformity and considerably affects the patient's psychology. In addition, the severed ear constitutes a major challenge for the head and neck or plastic surgeon particularly when a human bite is the cause, taking into account the high possibility of severe contamination by the bacteria of oral flora. The difficulty of reconstitution is mainly related to the unique anatomical structure of the auricle, with fine skin covering, a thin and elastic cartilage, and small size vessels responsible for its perfusion [1,2].Many microsurgical techniques have been reported for reattachment of the auricle, but their significant complexity and numerous limitations do not allow for wide practice [1-3]. On the other hand, simple reattachment of the amputated part as a composite graft is doomed to fail with almost certainty [1,4]. Therefore, numerous techniques that increase the chance of survival of the replanted ear segment have evolved in the past [1,4,5].In 1972, Baudet et al, reported a case of successful ear replantation using a novel technique. Rea
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