ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes of different flaps for repairing the soft tissue defects of heels.Methods A total of 26 patients with soft tissue defects around the heel treated modified propeller perforator flap,medialis pedis flap,or anterolateral thigh flap from March 2012 to June 2016 were analyzed retrospectively.There included 19 males and 7 females,aged 4-64 years (mean,38.1 years).There were 9 patients with posterior heel defect,3 with weight-bearing defect,6 with posterior medial defect and 8 with posterolateral defect.The wound areas were from 6.0 cm × 4.0 cm to 12.0 cm × 9.5 cm,while the flap areas were from 7.0 cm × 5.0 cm to 13.5 cm × 10.5 cm.According to the principle of flap selection,the pedicled skin flap instead of free skin flap was selected in order to minimize damage to the donor site area.Modified propeller perforator flap was applied in 13 patients,medialis pedis flap in 3 patients and anterolateral thigh flap in 14 patients.The flap donor site was directly sutured in 23 patients and a simultaneous skin graft was applied in 3 patients.The survival rate,appearance,texture and feeling recovery of flaps,complications,walking ability,and the status of donor sites were compared.Besides,postoperative functions of all cases were estimated according to foot scoring scale of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS).Results All flaps survived well in 26 patients.The wounds of flaps and flap donor sites were healed at Ⅰ stage.A total of 24 patients were followed up for 12-36 months (average 16 months).The appearance,color and texture of the flaps were good.There was no ulcer in flaps or flap donor sites.The protective feeling of flaps was recovered and the feeling of distinguishing two points was 6-13 mm.Modified propeller perforator flap donor site was directly sutured,the wound of which showed a linear healing.There was no fat deformity or obvious scar formation around ankle.The skin graft of the medialis pedis flap donor site was healed well,without scar hyperplasia,rupture,or deformity of arch.The anterolateral thigh flap was healed linearly without scar,and the anterolateral skin felt slightly depressed.The muscle strength of the four biceps femoris muscle was 4.According to AOFAS score,the feet's functions were evaluated as excellent in 5,good in 16,fair in 4,and poor in 1,with excellence rate of 81％.Conclusions For different soft tissue defects of the heels,propeller perforators flap,medial plantar flap or anterolateral thigh flap can not only attain appearance reconstruction of the defects and good functional recovery,but also minimize the injury of flap donor site.