Application of Human Acellular Dermal Matrix with Skin Graft for Lacunar Soft-Tissue Defect of Lateral Heel after Calcaneal Fracture.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of human acellular dermal matrix (HADM) combined with split-thickness skin graft in repairing lacunar soft tissue defects of the lateral heel after calcaneal fracture. METHODS: From June 2018 to October 2020, providers repaired 11 cases of lacunar soft tissue defects at the lateral part of the heel using HADM combined with split-thickness skin graft. After thorough debridement, the HADM was trimmed and filled into the lacunar defect area. Once the wound was covered, a split-thickness skin graft and negative-pressure wound therapy were applied. Providers evaluated the appearance, scar, ductility of the skin graft site, appearance of the donor site, healing time, and any reoperation at follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 11 cases, 8 patients achieved successful wound healing by primary intention. Three patients showed partial necrosis in the edge of the skin graft, but the wound healed after standard wound care. Evaluation at 6 and 12 months after surgery showed that all patients had wound healing and mild local scarring; there was no obvious pigmentation or scar formation in the donor skin area. The average healing time was 37.5 days (range, 24-43 days). CONCLUSIONS: The HADM combined with split-thickness skin graft is a simple and effective reconstruction method for lacunar soft tissue defect of the lateral heel after calcaneal fracture. In this small sample, the combination demonstrated few infections, minor scar formation, few donor site complications, and relatively short hospital stays.

Fixation with multiple K-wires and PRP injection as an effective way to manage heel pad avulsion.

The treatment of acute heel pad avulsion differs significantly from managing other soft tissue injuries due to its unique soft tissue structure. This case report outlines a scenario involving a male in his 20s who suffered heel pad avulsion without a calcaneal fracture but with an ipsilateral medial malleolus fracture after a twisting injury to the ankle caused by a road traffic accident. Immediate action was taken within 24 hours of the injury, involving thorough debridement of the wound, fixation to the calcaneum using multiple K-wires, primary suturing and internal fixation of the medial malleolus with two cannulated cancellous screws. Postoperative care included PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections into the wound twice, removal of K-wires after 6 weeks and allowing walking with full weight bearing after 8 weeks. A year later, the wound had completely healed, and the patient was comfortably walking pain-free with full weight-bearing capabilities.

Coverage of defects over Posterior aspect of Ankle Joint and Heel with Lateral Calcaneal Artery Flap- Experience in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

Lateral calcaneal artery flap is randomly used by many Plastic Surgeons for covering any defect on the posterior aspect of heel. A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh from January 2020 to June 2022, to see the outcome of the flap for coverage of defects over the posterior aspect of ankle joint and heel. A total number of 09 patients, selected by purposive sampling, were included in the study. The age of the patients ranged from 06 years to 70 years. The cause of the defects were post traumatic in 07 cases, electric burn in 01 case and pressure sore in 01 case. The defect sizes varied from 3×2 to 6×3cm. and flap size ranged from 4×2.5 to 7×4.5cm. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 6 months. All the flaps survived completely without any complications; except in two cases. In one case, there was marginal epidermal necrolysis that healed secondarily without the need of any further surgical intervention. In the other case, there was gangrene of about 0.5 cm area at the flap tip, which was debrided and the resulting wound healed secondarily. The average operating time was 63 minutes. The results were satisfactory on the context of adequate coverage, and flap and donor site morbidity. So, the lateral calcaneal artery flap can be a good and safe option for the coverage of posterior ankle and heel defects.

Arterialization of plantar venous system via vein graft: A novel technique for reconstruction of heel pad degloving injuries.

BACKGROUND: Patients with heel pad degloving injury frequently develop ischemic necrosis of the area, necessitating soft-tissue reconstruction surgery. We have developed a technique for arterialization of the plantar venous system via vein graft (APV) as the primary revascularization treatment. The objective of this study was to clarify both the utility of APV for the preservation of degloved heel pads and the impact of this preservation on clinical outcomes. METHODS: Ten consecutive cases of degloving injury with devascularized heel pad were treated at a single trauma center from 2008 to 2018. Five cases underwent APV and five underwent conventional primary suture (PS) as the initial treatment. We evaluated the course according to the frequency of heel pad preservation, additional intervention after heel pad necrosis, post-operative complications, and outcomes using the Foot and Ankle Disability Index score (FADI) at the time of last follow-up. RESULTS: Among the five cases that underwent APV, the heel pad was preserved in three cases and flap surgery was required in two cases. All cases that underwent PS developed necrosis of the heel pad, requiring skin graft in one case and flap surgery in four. One skin graft case and one free flap case after PS developed plantar ulcers. The three cases with preserved heel pads exhibited higher FADI than the seven cases that developed necrosis. CONCLUSION: APV showed a relatively high frequency of heel pad preservation, which otherwise was uniformly lacking. Functional outcomes were improved in cases with preserved heel pad compared to those that developed necrosis and underwent additional tissue reconstruction.

Efficacy of a heel offloading boot in reducing heel pressure injuries in patients in Australian intensive care units: A single-blinded randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare time to incidence, extent of incidence and severity of heel pressure injury with a heel off-loading boot (intervention) or pillows (control). RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: Multi-centre, single-blinded randomised controlled trial of 394 critically ill patients. Patients were randomised to the intervention or control for heel offloading. SETTING: Three hospital intensive care units; two in greater Sydney, Australia and one in regional New South Wales, Australia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time to intensive care unit-acquired pressure injury in heels of patients without pre-existing heel pressure injury within 28 days from intensive care unit admission. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: incidence of heel pressure injury within 28 days of intensive care unit admission; severity of intensive care unit-acquired heel pressure injuries; occurrence of plantar contractures (a change in ankle dorsiflexion of 5° or greater) within 28 days of admission. RESULTS: Within 28 days of admission, one pressure injury was recorded in the intervention group and 11 in the control group. Hazard of pressure injury incidence within 28 days of admission was significantly lower (p = 0.0239) in heels assigned to the intervention (hazard ratio 0.0896 [95% CI 0.0110, 0.727]). Odds of pressure injury incidence within 28 days of admission were significantly lower (p = 0.0261) in the intervention group (odds ratio 0.0883 [95% CI 0.0104, 0.749]). The pressure injury recorded in the intervention group was superficial (stage 1) whereas those recorded in the control group were more severe (stage 2 to 4). CONCLUSION: The heel-offloading boot used in this study significantly reduced heel pressure injury occurrence compared with heel offloading using pillows.

Colgajo sural reverso más injerto libre en reconstrucción del talón y tobillo / Reverse Sural Flap plus Free Graft in Heel and Ankle Reconstruction

Introducción: Las lesiones traumáticas con pérdida de cobertura cutánea de la región del tobillo y pie, constituyen un gran reto para el cirujano ortopédico por la exposición y destrucción de tejidos nobles, difíciles de solucionar por ser una zona que presenta escaso tejido adiposo, múltiples tendones, poco volumen muscular, varias prominencias óseas y piel poco elástica. Objetivo: Presentar el colgajo sural de flujo reverso como una buena alternativa para tratar la fractura conminuta cerrada de tibia con pérdida masiva de la piel del tobillo y calcáneo en toda su circunferencia, incluida la almohadilla adiposa de la cara plantar. Presentación del caso: Se presenta paciente de 24 años que sufrió accidente de tránsito con fractura conminuta y cerrada de tibia derecha, además de una herida tipo colgajo que dejó expuesto el calcáneo y la región del tobillo. Luego de colocar fijador externo RALCA para fijar la fractura, se realizó colgajo sural en isla de flujo reverso para cubrir el defecto en la cara plantar y posterior del calcáneo, más injerto libre de piel tomado de la cara antero externa del muslo ipsilateral. Estos procedimientos fueron realizados en dos tiempos quirúrgicos. Conclusiones: El colgajo sural de flujo reverso demostró ser una de las mejores alternativas para la cobertura de lesiones desde el tercio medio de la pierna hasta el pie, por lo que debería ser conocido no solo por cirujanos plásticos, sino también por cirujanos ortopédicos y traumatólogos que lo incorporen a su arsenal terapéutico para su realización(AU)

Introduction: Traumatic injuries with loss of skin coverage of the ankle and foot region constitute great challenge for the orthopedic surgeon due to the exposure and destruction of noble tissues, difficult to solve because this area has little adipose tissue, multiple tendons , little muscle volume, several bony prominences and not very elastic skin. Objective: To establish that the reverse flow sural flap is a good alternative to treat closed comminuted fracture of the tibia with massive skin loss of the entire circumference of the ankle and calcaneus, including the plantar face fat pad. Case report: We report the case of a 24-year-old patient who suffered a traffic accident with a comminuted and closed fracture of the right tibia, as well as a flap-type wound that exposed the calcaneus and the ankle region. After placing RALCA external fixator to fix the fracture, a reverse flow island sural flap was made to cover the defect on the plantar and posterior aspect of the calcaneus, and a free skin graft taken from the anterior external aspect of the ipsilateral thigh. These procedures were performed in two surgical stages. Conclusions: The reverse flow sural flap proved to be one of the best alternatives for the coverage of injuries from the middle third of the leg to the foot, which is why it should be known not only by plastic surgeons, but also by orthopedic surgeons and traumatologists and to incorporate this alternative into their therapeutic arsenal(AU)

Efficacy of calcium phosphate cementing in the surgical treatment of Sanders Type II and III calcaneal fractures using screw fixation with sinus tarsi approach.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of calcium phosphate cementing in the surgical treatment of Sanders type II and III calcaneal fractures using screw fixation with sinus tarsi approach. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 85 feet of 84 patients (74 males, 10 females; mean age 43 [17-61] years) in whom screw fixation was performed using the sinus tarsi approach for Sanders type II or III calcaneal fractures were included. The mean follow-up was 28 (14-39) months. Patients were categorized into 2 groups on the basis of whether calcium phosphate cement (CPC) was used. Group 1 had 37 patients with CPC (38 calcaneal fractures) and group 2 had 47 patients without CPC (47 calcaneal fractures). In the clinical assessment, the American Orthopedic Foot Ankle Society (AOFAS) hind foot score and the Maryland Foot Score (MFS) were used at the final follow-up. In the radiological assessment, Bohler's angle on plain radiograph and posterior facet step-off on computed tomography were measured pre-and postoperatively. RESULTS: At the final follow-up, the mean Bohler's angle was 26.2° (20°-33°) in group 1 and 26° (17°-30°) in group 2 (P = 0.85). The mean posterior facet step-off was 1.6 (0-5) mm in group 1 and 1.5 (0-5) mm in group 2 (P = 0.85). The mean AOFAS score was 83.8 (59-100) in group 1 and 85.8 (60-100) in group 2 (P = 0.5). The mean MFS was 86.3 (66-100) in group 1 and 87.7 (66-100) in group 2 (P = 0.62). CONCLUSION: Evidence from this study have shown that CPC may have no significant effect on clinical and radiological outcomes in the surgical treatment of Sanders type II and III calcaneal fractures using screw fixation with sinus tarsi approach.

Chronic Plantar Heel Pain Is Principally Associated With Waist Girth (Systemic) and Pain (Central) Factors, Not Foot Factors: A Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the independent associations of potential clinical, symptom, physical activity, and psychological factors with chronic plantar heel pain. DESIGN: Case-control. METHODS: We investigated associations by comparing 220 participants with chronic (more than 3 months in duration) plantar heel pain to 100 age- and sex-matched controls, who were recruited randomly from the electoral roll. Exposures measured were waist girth, body mass index, body composition, clinical measures of foot and leg function, physical activity via accelerometry, depression and pain catastrophizing, symptoms of prolonged morning stiffness anywhere in the body, and multisite pain. Data were analyzed using multivariable conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Waist girth (centimeters) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 1.09), ankle plantar flexor strength (kilograms) (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97, 0.99), pain at multiple sites (pain at 1 other site: OR = 2.76; 95% CI: 1.29, 5.91; pain at 4 or more other sites: OR = 10.45; 95% CI: 3.66, 29.81), and pain catastrophizing status (none, some, or catastrophizer) (some: OR = 2.91; 95% CI: 1.33, 6.37; catastrophizer: OR = 6.79; 95% CI: 1.91, 24.11) were independently associated with chronic plantar heel pain. There were univariable but not independent associations with morning stiffness, first metatarsophalangeal joint extension range of motion, depression, and body mass index. There were no significant associations with physical activity or body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis). CONCLUSION: Waist girth, ankle plantar flexor strength, multisite pain, and pain catastrophizing, but not foot-specific factors, were independently associated with chronic plantar heel pain. Of these 4 factors, 3 (waist girth, multisite pain, and pain catastrophizing) were central or systemic associations. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2021;51(9):449-458. Epub 7 May 2021. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.10018.

Reconstruction of the weight-bearing heel with nonsensate reverse sural artery flaps.

BACKGROUND: The reverse sural artery flap (RSAF) is widely used to reconstruct foot and ankle defects. Although it is commonly used in a nonsensate type, there has been controversy as to whether it provides sufficient stability and durability when applied to weight-bearing heels. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient outcomes after weight-bearing heel coverage using a nonsensate RSAF. METHODS: Twenty-three patients who underwent reconstruction surgery of the weight-bearing heel with RSAF from 2004 to 2018 in a tertiary hospital were retrospectively reviewed. All surgeries were performed without a sensate procedure. The patients' experience of pressure sore on the flap area and the ability to use normal footwear were investigated. Light touch, Semmes-Weinstein test (SWT), and two-point discrimination tests were assessed, along with postoperative wound complications. RESULTS: Heel damage etiologies included malignant tumors in 14 (61%), trauma-related in 7 (30%) and diabetic ulcers in 2 (9%) patients. Patient mean age was 58 years (range, 18-93 years) and the mean follow-up period was 57 months (range, 12-185 months). The mean size of the flap was 64.1 cm2 (range, 20-169 cm2). All flaps healed without major complications. All returned to daily living activities and 20 (86%) patients were able to use normal footwear. Of the 11 patients who had available measurement records, 8 (73%) showed a light touch sense. The mean SWT value was 4.31 (range, 3.61- 4.56). Two-point discrimination was not observed in any of the patients. Two patients had experienced superficial ulcers on the flap within a one-year postoperative period, which spontaneously healed and did not recur. No full-thickness ulcers were observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that patients who underwent nonsensate RSAF for the reconstruction of the heel could expect to maintain the property for stable weight-bearing without pressure sore.

Novel Design of the Chimeric Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flap that Provides for Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Composite Tissue Defects of the Heel in Children.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to report a novel design of the chimeric deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap (DIEP) to achieve dead space filling, Achilles tendon bridging, and skin resurfacing simultaneously with minimal donor-site morbidity. METHODS: From September 2012 to May 2016, a retrospective study was carried out on six pediatric patients with composite soft tissue defects of the heel that were repaired with the chimeric DIEP flap. The chimeric flap design included a flap of the anterior sheath of the rectus, a block of rectus muscle, and a large skin paddle. All the parts were supplied by a common artery. After harvesting the flap, all element parts were inserted at the corresponding sites in a tension-free manner. With one set of vessel anastomoses at the recipient site, accurate repair with tendon reconstruction, dead space elimination, and wound covering were accomplished. The donor site incisions were closed initially. Data on patient age, medical history, injury severity, defect size, flap dimensions, recipient vessels, donor site closure, complications, and follow-up were collected and reviewed. RESULTS: Five of the six chimeric DIEP flaps survived without complications. The remaining one case experienced partial necrosis of the skin paddle caused by venous congestion, which healed after routine dressing changes. Primary donor site closure was accomplished in all cases. The mean follow-up was 18.6 months (range, 10-36 months). Five patients had satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes; one patient needed a secondary debulking procedure. Compared to the unaffected side, the affected side showed no obvious difference for ankle movement, tiptoe function, and patient gait during the follow-up period. Good ankle function was observed in all patients. There was no donor site breakdown, with only a slightly noticeable linear scar. CONCLUSION: The chimeric DIEP flap reduced the operative time, solved the problem of deficiency of recipient vessels, and attained satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes with low donor site morbidity. Therefore, it is a promising option for three-dimensional reconstruction of composite defects with dead space and Achilles tendon defects as well as skin loss in children.

Comparison of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture for patients with plantar heel pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Plantar heel pain syndrome (PHPS), also known as plantar fasciitis, affects millions of people worldwide. Electroacupuncture (EA) and manual acupuncture (MA) are the two acupuncture modalities frequently used for PHPS in the clinical setting. However, which modality is more effective has yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE: To examine whether EA is more effective than MA with regards to pain relief for patients with PHPS. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 12 treatment sessions of EA or MA over 4 weeks with 24 weeks of follow-up. The primary outcome was the proportion of treatment responders, defined as patients with at least a 50% reduction from baseline in the worst pain intensity experienced during the first steps in the morning after a 4-week treatment, measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS, 0-100; higher scores signify worse pain). Analysis was by intention-to-treat. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients with a clinical diagnosis of PHPS were enrolled from 29 July 2018 through 28 June 2019. Of the patients, 78 (85%) completed the treatment and follow-up. The primary outcome occurred in 54.8% (23/42) of the EA group compared to 50.0% (21/42) of the MA group after the 4-week treatment (difference -4.76, 95% confidence interval, -26.10 to 16.57, P = 0.662). There were no significant between-group differences for any secondary outcomes after 4 weeks of treatment and at 16 weeks and 28 weeks of follow-up. There were no serious treatment-related adverse events in either group. CONCLUSION: Among patients with PHPS, EA did not have a better effect with respect to relieving pain intensity than MA at week 4, although both EA and MA appeared to have positive temporal effects, with decreased heel pain and improved plantar function. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR1800016531 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry).

Efficacy of electroacupuncture plus warm needling therapy for plantar heel pain: a randomised waitlist-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture plus warm needling (EAWN) therapy on pain and foot function in adults with plantar heel pain (PHP). METHODS: This prospective, randomised, parallel-group, waitlist-controlled trial was conducted at a Chinese medicine centre in Hong Kong between May 2018 and February 2019. Eighty eligible community-dwelling subjects with PHP (mean age 59.7 years; 85% female) were equally randomised to receive EAWN therapy or remain on a waitlist. The treatment group received six 30-min sessions of standardised EAWN therapy over 4 weeks; the control group received no treatment. The outcome measures were the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for first-step pain, foot function index (FFI) scores and global rating of change (GRC) scale scores. Assessments were made at baseline, week 2 and week 4 (primary endpoint). The treatment group underwent additional assessments at week 8. Outcomes were evaluated by intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: Patients who received EAWN therapy exhibited greater improvements in the mean first-step pain VAS and all FFI scores than did those in the control group at weeks 2 and 4, with significant between-group differences (all P < 0.001). Compared with baseline, there were significant decreases in mean first-step pain VAS scores at weeks 2 and 4, and FFI scores at week 4, in the treatment group but not in the control group. The improvements in the treatment group continued until week 8. GRC scores at week 4 indicated improvement in all treated patients and only 22.5% of the control group patients (P < 0.001). There were no study-related adverse events. CONCLUSION: EAWN therapy could be an effective treatment for PHP in middle-aged and older adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR1800014906 (Chinese Clinical Trials Registry).

Heel Pressure Injuries in the Adult Critical Care Population.

Patients in critical care units have a multitude of diseases and conditions that contribute to their illness and as such are susceptible to comorbid conditions such as heel pressure injuries. Prevention is a key strategy to avoid heel pressure injury occurrence. Risk factor identification can help a clinician identify those patients at risk for a heel pressure injury requiring timely prevention strategies. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness regarding the critical care patient's vulnerability to heel pressure injuries and strategies that can help avoid their occurrence or expedite their healing if occur.

Heel Pressure Injuries: Consensus-Based Recommendations for Assessment and Management.

Significance: A systematic approach to develop experts-based recommendations could have a favorable impact on clinical problems characterized by scarce and low-quality evidence as heel pressure ulcers. Recent Advances: A systematic approach was used to conduce a formal consensus initiative. A multidisciplinary panel of experts identified relevant clinical questions, performed a systematic search of the literature, and created a list of statements. GRADE Working Group guidelines were followed. An independent international jury reviewed and voted recommendations for clinical practice. Consent was developed according to Delphi rules and GRADE method was used to attribute grade of strength. Critical Issues: The extensive search of the literature retrieved 42 pertinent articles (26 clinical studies, 7 systematic reviews or meta-analysis, 5 other reviews, 2 consensus-based articles, and 2 in vitro studies). Thirty-five recommendations and statements were created. Only 1 of 35, concerning ankle-brachial pressure index reliability in diabetic patients, was rejected by the panel. No sufficient agreement was achieved on toe brachial index test to rule out the orphan heel syndrome, removing dry eschar in adult patients without vascular impairment, and using an antimicrobial dressing in children with infected heel pressure injuries. Eleven recommendations were approved with a weak grade of strength. Experts strongly endorsed 20 recommendations. Offloading, stages I and II pressure injuries, and referral criteria were areas characterized by higher level of agreement. Future Directions: We believe that the results of our effort could improve practice, especially in areas where clear and shared opinions emerged. Barriers and limits that could hinder implementation are also discussed in the article.

[Clinical application of digital technology in repairing of heel wound with peroneal artery perforator propeller flap].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of digital technique in repairing of heel wound with peroneal artery perforator propeller flap. METHODS: Between March 2016 and March 2019, the heel wounds of 31 patients were repaired with the peroneal artery perforator propeller flaps. There were 21 males and 10 females, with an average age of 36 years (range, 12-53 years). Seventeen patients were admitted to hospital in emergency after trauma, the time from injury to admission was 6.0-12.5 hours, with an average of 8.5 hours; 14 patients were chronic infectious wounds and ulcer. The wound area ranged from 5 cm×4 cm to 12 cm×8 cm. Before flap repair, CT angiography (CTA) data of lower extremity was imported into Mimics19.0 software and three-dimensional reconstruction of peroneal artery perforator and skin model, accurate location of perforator, accurate design of perforator flap, and simulated operation according to the defect range and location were obtained. RESULTS: The origin and course of peroneal artery perforator, the position of perforator, the diameter of perforator, and the maximum length of the naked perforator were determined based on the three-dimensional model. There was no significant difference in locating point of perforator, diameter of perforator, maximum length of naked perforator between the pre- and intra-operative measurements ( P>0.05). The position of the lower perforator of the peroneal artery were on the posterolateral lateral ankle tip (5-10 cm) in 31 cases. The total incidence of perforating branches within 10 cm on the tip of lateral malleolus was 96.9%, and the length of vascular pedicle was (3.44±0.65) cm. The flap removal and transposition in 31 patients were successfully completed. The average operation time was 45 minutes (range, 30-65 minutes). After operation, vein crisis and partial necrosis occurred in 4 cases and 3 cases, respectively, which were survived after symptomatic treatment. All the grafts survived and the incisions healed by first intention. All the patients were followed up 3-18 months, with an average of 12 months. At last follow-up, according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, 17 cases were excellent, 11 cases were good, and 3 cases were fair, and the excellent and good rate was 87.5%. CONCLUSION: The digital technique can improve the accuracy of perforator localization and the design of peroneal artery perforator propeller flap, and reduce the difficulty of operation, and the risk caused by the variation of vascular anatomy.

Heel Reconstruction With Bipedicled Flap: A Salvage Procedure.

Reconstruction of the heel region poses great challenge to plastic surgeons not only due to calcaneal bone lying just deep to the subdermal fat pad but also due to easily exposed Achilles tendon. In order to achieve permanent closure of the heel defect, exposed bone or tendon-or both-should be covered with durable, preferably sensate, well-vascularized, thin skin flaps. Even though fasciocutaneous free flaps remain the gold standard in the reconstruction of heel defects with exposed bone or tendon, a significant number of these patients are older individuals with multiple comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and peripheral vascular disease. In this study, with a clinic series consisting of 6 patients (1 female, 5 males), we present a new technique of reconstruction with a bipedicled flap as a safe, reliable, and efficient reconstructive modality in the treatment of heel defects in cases where free flaps and other more sophisticated reconstructive options are either not feasible or have failed. Achieving complete reconstruction of defects in all 6 patients, this technique proves to be successful as a salvage procedure in reconstruction of heel defects.