[Microvascular anastomotic anterolateral thigh flaps for reconstruction of traumatic widespread defects of soft tissue in heel].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the results of repairing widespread defects of traumatic soft tissue in heel by microvascular anastomotic anterolateral thigh flaps.


METHODS
Twenty-six consecutive free anterolateral thigh flaps in 26 patients were transplanted for repairing widespread defects of traumatic soft tissue in heel from October 1997 to March 2005, suturing the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral vascular and posterior tibial vascular to reconstruct the blood supply of transplanted flaps, repairing lateral femoral cutaneous nerve to recover their sensation, fixing tensor fasciae in the calcaneum to add their stabilization.


RESULTS
All flaps survived completely,the wounds healed in the initial treatment, follow up 3 to 48 months, twenty-six cases achieved partial sensation, good contour and stabilization.


CONCLUSIONS
The anterolateral thigh flap is an ideal flap for repairing widespread defects of traumatic soft tissue in heel, because it has such advantages as adequate blood supply, big dermatosis area and covert donor site, furthermore, nervi cutaneous femoris lateralis and tensor fasciae offer the good sensation and adequate stabilization.
Tang
Ju-yu
JY
Department of Orthopedics , Xiangya Hospital of Central-South University, Changsha 410008, China.
Li
Kang-hua
KH
Liu
Jun
J
Liu
Ming-jiang
MJ
Xie
Song-lin
SL
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006365:Heel / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult