Remarkable Recovery After Ear Mutilation by Human Bite
Summary
A 28-year-old man suffered severe ear mutilation after a shocking human bite inflicted by the father in an attack driven by personal grudges. The patient lost a significant portion of his left ear, requiring anti-rabies vaccination, antibiotics, and a complex three-stage reconstructive surgery using a bipedicled (bucket-handle) flap with vascularised cartilage. Over four weeks, surgeons rebuilt the ear using staged flap division and inset techniques, achieving a near-normal appearance. The case highlights not only the surgical expertise but also the psychological dynamics behind such violent impulsive behaviour. The procedure was successfully performed by Dr Harshvardhan Sahijwani and Dr Yash Thakkar at Saraswati Hospital, Ahmedabad.
Meet the Experts
Rebuilding an ear that has been partly bitten off isn’t just surgery; it’s artistry, planning, and precision. And the team behind this transformation embodies exactly that.
Dr Harshvardhan Sahijwani (M.S., MCh – Plastic Surgery)
A highly respected reconstructive surgeon, Dr Sahijwani specialises in complex auricular reconstruction, trauma repair, and flap surgeries. His meticulous planning and mastery of staged reconstruction techniques were pivotal in restoring both the structure and aesthetics of the patient’s ear.
Dr Yash Thakkar (DNB, MCh – Plastic Surgery)
Dr Thakkar brings advanced surgical acumen to microvascular and reconstructive procedures. His skill in flap elevation, inset design, and post-operative care ensured optimal healing and symmetry. His contributions played a crucial role in preserving flap vascularity and achieving a natural contour.
At Saraswati Hospital, Ahmedabad, both surgeons worked in perfect coordination to give the patient not just an ear, but the confidence to face the world again.
A Human Bite That Mutilated an Ear: Can This Really Happen?
Human bite injuries are often underestimated, yet they can be severe and psychologically disturbing. In this real case from Ahmedabad, a 28-year-old male lost a significant part of his left ear after being bitten by an adult man during a violent altercation. This article explains what happened, the surgical reconstruction performed, and why such extreme behaviour can occur from a psychological standpoint.
A Shocking Assault: When Personal Grudges Turn Violent
In October 2025, a 28-year-old man was attacked by a father-son duo over unresolved personal grudges. During the heated quarrel, the father lashed out in an unexpected, primitive way; he bit the victim’s left ear, tearing off a large portion of it.
Human bites are known to exert up to 150 to 200 psi of pressure, making them capable of crushing cartilage and tearing tissue. The mutilation in this case was extensive, leaving the patient with a visibly deformed ear.
Initial Management: Preventing Infection and Rabies
Given the high infection risk associated with human bites, immediate medical care was critical. The patient was started on:
- Anti-rabies vaccine
- Oral antibiotics
- Daily dressing changes for 4 days
Surgery was planned on the 5th day after the assault, once the wound was stable.
Planning Reconstruction: Mapping the Missing Ear
To assess the exact tissue loss, surgeons created a template of the right ear on a transparent sheet. This was reversed and placed on the left side to determine the amount of:
- Skin
- Cartilage
- Tissue required for reconstruction.
A three-stage reconstructive plan was formulated.
Stage-by-Stage Surgical Reconstruction
Stage 1: Bipedicled (Bucket Handle) Flap With Vascularised Cartilage
Stage 1:
A bipedicled flap was designed from the left retroauricular region. Surgeons included:
- Skin
- A vascularised segment of conchal cartilage
The flap was elevated and advanced to cover the anterior edge of the defect.
- It was then folded on itself and sutured to the posterior defect edge, creating the foundational structure for future reconstruction.
- Regular dressings were continued.
Stage 2: Flap Division
After 3 weeks, the upper part of the flap was completely cut. The skin was carefully inset into:
- The recipient site
- The donor site
This refined the shape of the reconstructed ear.
Stage 3: Flap Division (Lower part)
One week later, the lower part of the flap was divided and inset into both the recipient and donor sites.
The flap remained healthy, and the patient achieved a near-normal appearance of the left ear.
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This staged approach allowed optimal vascularity, healing, and contour restoration.
Why would an Adult bite someone's ear? Understanding the Psychology
Human biting in adults is considered a severe impulse-control breakdown. Such behaviour is often linked to:
- Extreme Anger and Loss of Inhibition: During intense confrontation, the person may have experienced a sudden emotional surge leading to primitive defensive aggression
2. Fight or Flight Override: High-stress conflicts can momentarily override rational thinking, triggering instinctive behaviour similar to animal aggression.
3. Deep-rooted Grudges or Threat Perception: If the person perceived the situation as personal, humiliating, or threatening, the reaction could have been disproportionately violent.
4. Poor Emotional Regulation:Â Adults who resort to biting often exhibit impaired self-control, unresolved anger issues, or past exposure to physical aggression.
While the person’s psychological state cannot be diagnosed without clinical evaluation, such behaviour is generally associated with reactive aggression, not premeditated violence.
When aggression arises within a family context, it often stems from long-standing emotional tension. A sudden violent act, such as biting, is rarely about the moment, it is typically the eruption of unresolved conflict.
Conclusion: A Case of Violence, Precision, and Remarkable Recovery
This case highlights the severe damage a human bite can cause, and the sophisticated reconstructive techniques required to restore form and function. The three-stage ear reconstruction demonstrates how modern plastic surgery can repair even devastating injuries
It also emphasises the need to address anger, impulse control, and conflict resolution, as unchecked emotional reactions can lead to irreversible harm.
“The Aartery Chronicle” extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr Harshvardhan Sahijwani and Dr Yash Thakkar for sharing this extraordinary case. Their openness and expertise allow us to bring valuable surgical insights to our readers.
Disclaimer: This case is provided by expert Dr. Harshwardhan Sahijwani. The opinions are intended for awareness purposes.
