Successful total scalp replantation using the retromandibular vein as a recipient vessel

Abstract

Replantation is the first treatment in scalp amputations. Venous insufficiency is the most common cause of failure. There may be difficulties caused by venous anastomosis, especially in cases with cranial bone fractures. There is no agreement about the number of vessels that should be used for replantation. Depending on the severity of the injury, there may be concurrent injuries such as spinal fractures and other system pathologies, such as cranial bone fractures. In this article, we describe and discuss the surgical treatment of a patient with a temporal bone fracture concurrent with a total hairy skin amputation, which extended from both eyebrows anteriorly, in front of the ear laterally, to the hairline posteriorly. Single-artery and single-vein anastomoses were performed. The retromandibular vein was used as the recipient vein because an alternative appropriate vein was not available. Complete improvement was achieved in our patient, both aesthetically and functionally.

Keywords

• amputation
• retromandibular vein
• scalp