title: [Repair of soft tissue defect of heel with myocutaneous flap of flexor digitorum brevis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the repairing method of soft tissue defect of heel, pedicled island myocutaneous flap of flexor digitorum brevis was designed.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1984 to 1997, 26 cases with soft tissue defect of heel were adopted in the clinical trial. Among them, the were 18 males, 8 females and the age ranged from 15 to 60 years old. The area of wound ranged from 2.5 cm x 1.5 cm to 8.0 cm x 6.0 cm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After operation, all of the flaps survived. They were followed up for 9 to 72 months. All of the flaps had primary healing except in one there was infection of peripheral of the flap. The contour of heel was satisfactory the sensation of flap was good and the weight-bearing function was also successful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was concluded that the myocutaneous flap of flexor digitorum brevis could be used to repair the soft tissue defect of heel because of its nearby position, hidden location, good recovery of skin sensation and weight-bearing function, Besides, the procedure of this operation was simple and the anti-inflammatory potential of the flap was high. However, Because of the limited donor area, the pre-operative design was important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, General Hospital, Fengfeng Mineral Bureau, Handan, Hebei, P. R. China 056200.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006365:Heel / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps