Jinan: In a groundbreaking medical procedure, Chinese surgeons have successfully grafted a patient's torn-off ear onto her foot as a temporary measure before reattaching it to its original position.

According to Anadolu Agency, the woman's ear was severed in a workplace accident involving heavy machinery, which also inflicted severe scalp injuries, putting her life at risk. The surgical team, led by Qiu Shenqiang, deputy director at the microsurgery unit at the Shandong provincial hospital, initially focused on repairing her damaged scalp. However, due to the extensive damage to her scalp tissue and vascular network, immediate reattachment of the ear was not feasible.

To ensure the ear remained viable, surgeons opted to attach it to the top of her foot, which provided a compatible network of arteries and veins to sustain the ear. This unprecedented decision allowed the ear to survive while the patient's scalp tissue healed sufficiently for reattachment.

Over five months, the patient's scalp and neck were treated with skin transplants sourced from her stomach, facilitating their recovery. In October, the medical team successfully conducted a six-hour surgery to reattach the ear to its original location.