ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of combining medial plantar flap with medial foot flap for repairing weight-bearing area defects of the foot.Methods:A retrospective case series study was used to analyze the clinical data of 12 patients with weight-bearing area defects of the foot, who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from March 2020 to March 2022. There were 9 males and 3 females, with the age of 27-62 years [(39.3±8.7)years]. There were 4 patients with palm defects and 8 with heel defects. The defect area ranged from 10 cm×8 cm to 13 cm×12 cm. The cutting area of skin flap ranged from 11 cm×8 cm to 14 cm×13 cm. A total of 5 patients were treated with free flaps (4 patients with palm and 1 with heel defects) and 7 with pedicled flaps (all with heel defects). The flap donor areas were repaired with skin grafting. The flap survival was observed after surgery. At the last follow-up, the appearance, texture, and two point discrimination of the flap were recorded; the foot function was evaluated by Maryland foot function score; the sensory function of the reconstructed skin flap was evaluated by testing the two-point discrimination using a bipedal gauge.Results:The patients were followed up for 6-24 months [(11.8±5.3)months], and all the flaps survived. At the last follow-up, the flaps were free of any swelling and ulceration, with good texture and no sliding. The Maryland foot function score was (92.8±7.2)points at the last follow-up, which was significantly higher than the preoperative (36.6±6.1)points ( P<0.01), being excellent in 9 patients and good in 3. The two-point discrimination of the reconstructed flap was (17.8±5.7)mm at the last follow-up, and there was no significant difference compared with the contralateral (16.3±5.1)mm ( P>0.05). The sensation of the flap returned to normal. There were residual scars in the flap donor area after skin grafting, but no significant impact on foot movement. Conclusion:The medial plantar flap combined with medial foot flap has a large cutting area and good texture, meets the functional requirements, and achieves good postoperative sense recovery, making it a good choice for the repair of weight-bearing area defects of the foot.