Salvage reconstruction of near-total auricular amputation in a frail elderly patient using the Baudet technique: A case report

Auricular avulsion injuries represent a significant reconstructive challenge. Although microsurgical replantation is considered the gold standard, it is not always feasible because of vessel damage or patient-related factors. The Baudet technique, described in the 1970s, offers a simple nonmicrosurgical alternative that remains underreported despite its clinical relevance, particularly in frail elderly patients. An 81-year-old man sustained a near-total right auricular amputation following high-energy traffic trauma. As no suitable vessels for microvascular repair were identified and the patient had significant cardiovascular comorbidities, reconstruction was performed under local anesthesia using the Baudet technique. Early postoperative venous congestion was successfully managed with leech therapy. One month postoperatively, partialthickness anterior skin necrosis, including loss of the earlobe, occurred and was treated with debridement and conservative wound care, resulting in complete healing within two months. As the Baudet technique is inherently a two-stage procedure, the patient declined the second stage because he was satisfied with the functional and aesthetic outcome. This case illustrates that, in carefully selected frail elderly patients, the Baudet technique remains a pragmatic salvage option when microsurgical repair is not feasible, offering acceptable functional outcomes with limited operative burden.