title: [Free radial forearm flap transfer for the reconstruction of the Achilles tendon and soft tissue defect: a case report].
abstract: Reconstruction of the soft tissue defects around the Achilles tendon is a difficult challenge. This condition traditionally has been treated with staged procedures. We report a case treated with a one stage procedure. A neuromusculocutaneous radial forearm free flap was used for the reconstruction of an achilles tendon and for covering the overlying large soft tissue defect caused by a gun shot injury. The defect on the Achilles tendon was 15 cm in length and soft tissue loss was 18 x 10 cm. The flap including flexor carpi radialis muscle tendon was applied over the Achilles tendon. A terminolateral arterial anostomosis was performed on the tibialis posterior artery. There was no complication except a mild superficial infection on the lateral side of the flap treated by antibiotherapy. A satisfactory functional result was obtained. Application of a free neuromusculocutaneous radial forearm composite flap is a good technique to cover achilles tendon and soft tissue defects and to restore the function as a one stage procedure.
authors.affiliation: Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coşkunol
authors.forename: Oğuz
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ozdemir
authors.forename: Taçkin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ozalp
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000637:transplantation*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*