1/2024

Microsurgical replantation after forehead avulsion – success or failure? A case report

M. Kubík1, M. Molitor2, B. Zálešák1

1 Department of Plastic Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Bulovka, Prague, Czech Republic 2 Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc and Olomouc University Hospital, Czech Republic

Summary

In this article we would like to present, to our best knowledge, the very first published replantation of a forehead/part of a forehead as a single unit. The patient is a 57-year-old male smoker who sustained an avulsion forehead injury after a dog bite. Replantation was performed using microanastomosis of the supratrochlear vessels with restoration of good blood circulation after the procedure. Unfortunately, 5 days after the surgery, ischemia of the flap occurred followed by successful acute revision surgery. Nevertheless, the day after the ischemia reoccurred due to the time that passed, circumstances and unfavorable conditions affecting the sutured vessels, no further revision surgery was indicated. Observation continued and eventual wound necrosis after demarcation was left to be treated with skin grafting or per secundam intentionem. Only partial necrosis of the flap occurred, approximately 50%, which was subsequently treated with a full-thickness skin graft with very good results leading to the satisfaction of the patient.

Key words

amputation – dog bite injury – replantation – forehead replantation – flap ischemia

Kubík M, Molitor M, Zálešák B. Microsurgical replantation after forehead avulsion – success or failure? A case report. Acta Chir Plast 2024; 66 (1): 16–21. doi: 10.48095/ccachp202416

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