Refinements of Medial Plantar Flap Used for Covering Nonweightbearing Ankle and Posterior Heel Defects Requiring Thin Flaps

Abstract

We present our clinical experiences with the refinements that we applied to avoid circular flap contraction and achieve thin flap coverage in the reconstruction of posterior heel and tendocalcaneal skin defects with medial plantar flap. Eight male patients, aged 18 to 35 (mean 24 years), with nonweightbearing skin defects, were treated with refined medial plantar flaps. All flaps survived and no circulation problem was encountered. The flaps adapted well to the recipient area, and thin and well-contoured skin coverage was achieved by postoperative month 6. As a conclusion, it is possible to reconstruct the nonweightbearing defects needing thin flap by medial plantar flap with adding refinements: (1) adding triangles around the flap, (2) harvesting a thin flap by excluding the thick plantar fascia, (3) harvesting a further thin flap by defatting of the flap, (4) application of pressure to the flap.