What Researchers Did
Researchers described the case of a 69-year-old woman who underwent replantation of a dog-bite amputated nose.
What They Found
The avulsed piece was replanted within 2 hours, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy was administered for 12 daily sessions. Although the skin gradually necrosed, almost all of the mucosa and cartilage layers survived, resulting in a smaller final defect. A 3-stage repair using a paramedian forehead flap and cartilage grafts achieved functionally and aesthetically satisfactory results.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This case suggests that replantation of an amputated nose can be a worthwhile initial approach for Canadian patients, even if the skin does not survive. The survival of underlying cartilage and mucosa can significantly improve the ease and outcome of subsequent reconstructive surgeries, leading to better functional and aesthetic results.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The primary limitation of this study is that it describes only a single case, limiting the generalizability of its findings.