title: [Therapeutic strategies for covering traumatic defects of the heel area].
abstract: Tissue defects of the heel region are a challenging problem. Various reconstructive techniques were performed in 44 patients with 59 defects around the heel region, who were treated between 1994 and 1999 following a traffic accident in 27%, a burn injury in 25%, and other traumatic causes in 48%. Free flap coverage was performed in 20 defects (36%), local flaps were used in 15 patients (27%) and autologous skin transplantation in 21 patients (36%). The overall complication rate was 18% with the highest rate after local flap procedures. A therapeutic strategy was developed, which is based mostly on the localization and extension of the defect area.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hand-, Plastische und Rekonstruktive Chirurgie,- Schwerbrandverletztenzentrum, BG-Unfallklinik Ludwigshafen, Universität Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen. Henrik.Menke@urz.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Menke
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baumeister
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buchhold
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Erdmann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sauerbier
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Germann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006365:Heel / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology