Clinical effects of heel lateral flap in repair of skin and soft tissue defects at posterior heel region

• Published in: Zhonghua shao shang za zhi Vol. 35; no. 3; p. 218
• Main Authors: Jin, W H, Chang, S S, Wei, Z R, Li, H, Zhou, J, Chen, W, Sun, G F, Tang, X J, Wang, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese
• Published: China 20.03.2019
• Subjects: Microsurgery; Soft tissue injuries; Surgical flaps; Heel; Heel lateral artery
• ISSN: 1009-2587
• DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1009-2587.2019.03.010

To explore the clinical effects of heel lateral flap in repair of skin and soft tissue defects at posterior heel region. From September 2007 to April 2016, 24 patients (17 males and 7 females, aged 16-70 years) with skin and soft tissue defects at posterior heel region were admitted to our department. The size of skin and soft tissue defects after debridement ranged from 3.0 cm×2.0 cm to 5.0 cm×4.0 cm. The defects were repaired with heel lateral flaps, with size ranging from 3.5 cm×2.5 cm to 6.0 cm×5.0 cm. The flaps were transferred to the donor sites through the loose subcutaneous tunnel. The donor site was repaired by full-thickness skin graft collected from inguinal region. The survival of flaps and the follow-up of patients were observed. All flaps of 24 patients survived successfully. The recipient sites and donor sites were all healed. The patients all had follow-up of 6 to 24 months. At the last follow-up, the flaps were in good shape, with nearly normal color and soft texture. There were 6 cases of gr