Ten Years after Face Replantation

In 1994, the authors did a replantation of an avulsed face and scalp, torn into two pieces. The patient, a girl who was 9-years-old then, had a successful recovery, including the return of function to the facial musculature which had come off with the facial integument. This was unique, as it was contrary to established belief that in scalp avulsion, the level will not extend to the face. The revascularization of vessels established that there is no barrier between vascular territories, once the neural control is lost. Now, after 10 years, the patient has better reanimation of the muscles and growth of hair. Despite 5 surgical procedures, she has kept pace with growth and is now a nursing student.