Microsurgical replantation of a traumatic total scalp avulsion

We present a rare case of microsurgical replantation of a total scalp avulsion. A woman in her mid-60s was renovating a tractor when her hair was caught in a column drill resulting in traumatic scalp avulsion. The avulsed scalp involved the eyebrows and the entire hair-covered part of the scalp. The prehospital management and the conservation packing of the scalp was very effective. Microsurgical replantation was achieved with anastomoses of the left superficial temporal artery and one temporal vein on each side. The combination of the prehospital treatment and our university hospital setup made it possible to reattach the scalp with an ischaemia time of approximately 5 hours. A functional and aesthetically pleasing outcome was achieved, and the patient was discharged 6 days postoperatively with a vital scalp and no complaints. Five months postoperatively, she has no sign of alopecia and is regaining sensation and function of the scalp.A woman in her mid-60s was renovating a tractor when her hair was caught in a column drill resulting in traumatic scalp avulsion. The avulsed scalp involved the eyebrows and the entire hair-covered part of the scalp. The prehospital management and the conservation packing of the scalp was very effective.

Automated summary

We present a rare case of microsurgical replantation of a total scalp avulsion in a woman in her mid-60s. The avulsion occurred when her hair was caught in a column drill while renovating a tractor. The prehospital management and conservation packing of the scalp were highly effective.