Tissue Defects Of Heel Research Articles

Application of selectively thinning of free anterolateral thigh flap in repair of heel skin and soft tissue defect

To investigate the effectiveness of selectively thinning of the free anterolateral thigh flap in repair of the heel skin and soft tissue defect. Between April 2013 and August 2015, 8 patients with tissue defect of heel caused by different reasons were recruited. There were 6 males and 2 females with an average age of 31.2 years (range, 15-49 years). The size of wound ranged from 14 cm×10 cm to 19 cm×14 cm. All the wounds were repaired with the contralateral free anterolateral thigh flap. The partial flap which was going to repair the defects of the heel and non-weight-bearing area of planta pedis was selectively thinned. The size of flap ranged from 14 cm×10 cm to 19 cm×14 cm. The donate site was repaired by skin grafting. All flaps survived after operation, and wounds healed by first intention. The marginal necrosis of skin graft occurred in 2 cases, and healed after changing the dressing. The other skin grafts survived. All patients were followed up 8-20 months (mean, 12.3 months). All patients could walk normally. During follow-up, 2 flaps were injured and cured after symptomatic management. The appearance of flap was good in 7 cases with no influence in wearing shoes. Only 1 patient received the second-stage surgery of thinning the flap after 1 year. Application of the selectively thinning of the free anterolateral thigh flap can repair the heel skin and soft tissue defects, and achieve an ideal appearance and function.

Repairation the composite tissue defects of heel by using the free iliac flap with nerve anastomosis

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of reconstruction by using the free iliac flap with nerve anastomosis to repair the composite tissue defects of heel.Methods From March 2009 to August 2012,five cases with the composite tissue defects of heel,including 2 cases with the bottom defects and 3 cases with the tibial defects of heel,were repaired by the free iliac flap,and the feeling of the heel were reconstructed by nerve anastomosis of the flap.The ventral wound were sutured simply.Results All iliac flaps survived and the wound healed in one stage.Patients were followed up from 6 months to 12 months.Appearance and function recovered and the feeling recovered from S2-S3.The foots walked freely.The skin of iliac abdomen were scarred and lead to hyperpigmentation.Conclusion Using the free iliac flap with nerve anastomosis could repair the bone and soft tissue defects of heel and reconstruct the sensation of warmth and sense of pain of the heel.With the characteristics of hidden wound and little damage,the clinical effects was satisfied. Key words: Iliac flap; Cutaneous nerve; Heel; Composite tissue defects

Innervation of free anterolateral thigh flap for repairing widespreadly traumatic soft tissue defects in heel

Objective To explore new methods of innervating the anterolateral thigh flap(ALTF) for repairing widespreadly traumatic soft tissue defects in heel and report their initial results of clinical application. Methods Twenty-five consecutive ALTFs were transplanted in 25 patients for repairing widespreadly traumatic soft tissue defects in heel from October 2005 to October 2010. Three ways were used in this series for sensory reconstruction of ALTFs,which based on the primary researches of the anatomic and histomorphological characteristics of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN),medial calcaneal nerve (MCN) and lateral calcaneal nerve (LCN). The first way which was of suture between reshaped LFCN and MCN or LCN was used in 16 cases, the second way which was of perineurial suture combined with epineurial suture was used in 6 cases,and the small-gap-suture way was used in the remaining cases.The section of LFCN 5-7 cm below the anterior superior iliae spine and the initial segment of MCN or LCN were selected as anastomotic position. Postoperative follow-up parameters include pain sensation, touch sensation, thermal sensibility and static two-point discrimination. Results All flaps survived,and the wounds were primary intention.Twentyfive cases followed up 9-36 months (18 months on average).All flaps restored protective sensation,and the rate of good sensory recovery was 60％. All patients restored weighing and walking, and no ulceration happened. Conclusion Satisfactory sensory function restoration can be obtained by paying attention to the distribution and variety of LFCNs, selecting suitable cutaneous nerves and rational coaptated position as well as suitable suturation means which based on the anatomic and histomorphologieal characteristics of LFCN,MCN and LCN when repairing widespread soft tissue defects in heel. Key words: Anterolateral thigh flap; Heel; Sensory reconstruction; Repair; Cutaneous nerves

Prefabricated flap to repair heel defect of child

The coverage of large soft tissue defects in heel is a problem for surgical reconstruction. Various reconstructive materials are available depending on the location, size and depth of heel defect, but unique function of heel skin cannot be restored easily by means of reconstruction. We used prefabricated flap of the foot heel to cover heel defect in a child and obtained satisfactory clinical results.