Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2018, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (4): 433-435.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2018.04.017

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 Clinical application of medial plantar artery flap carrying sensory nerve in repairing soft tissue defect of heel

XIAO Rong, WANG Jian-hua, WU Yu-qiang   

  1. Department of Bone Microsurgery, Sanya People's Hospital, Sanya  572000, Hainan Province, China
  • Received:2018-01-17 Online:2018-07-25 Published:2018-08-21

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy  of medial plantar artery flap carrying sensory nerve in repairing soft tissue defects in heel area. Methods From June 2016 to November 2017, 12 patients with calcaneal nodule defect (less than 1 cm in length) were treated in our hospital. The medial plantar artery flap carrying sensory nerve was used to repair the wound. The wound area ranged  from 3 cm × 4 cm to 10 cm × 6 cm. The flap size ranged from 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm to 11 cm × 7 cm. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by observing the appearance, blood flow, elasticity and two-point discrimination of the flap.  Results All  flaps survived completely. 10 cases were followed up for 6~14 months. The flaps were satisfactory in appearance without bulkiness, soft in texture, good in elasticity. The two-point discrimination was 5 mm to 9 mm. 8 patients with no bone defect wore shoes, 2 patients with bone defect and without walking limitation needed to wear heeled shoes with soft soles  and walk half an hour to feel local tingling pain.  Conclusions  The medial plantar artery flap with the sensory nerve can better reconstruct the appearance, sensation and function of the heel. It is an effective way to repair the soft tissue defect of the heel.

Key words:  , Surgical flaps,  Medial plantar artery,  Soft tissue defect,  Heel