title: Use of Lateral Calcaneal Flap for Coverage of Hindfoot Defects: An Anatomical Appraisal.
abstract: Lateral calcaneal flap is an established surgical option for coverage of lateral calcaneum and posterior heel defects. Lateral calcaneal flap vascularization and innervations are based on lateral calcaneal artery neurovascular bundle, that is, lateral calcaneal artery, small saphenous vein, and sural nerve. Anatomical research has allowed exploration of its many advantages but can also lead to its various modifications, permitting a wide variety of clinical applications. In this paper the authors report an anatomical and clinical study on lateral calcaneal artery course and lateral calcaneal flap clinical applications. Anatomic part of our study focused on lateral calcaneal artery course and optimization of surgical technique for flap harvesting. Data were used for design of lateral calcaneal flap in 5 patients. Our results were satisfactory in terms of coverage adequacy, perioperative morbidity, and functional and aesthetical outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75 Street, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zygouris
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75 Street, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Adamantios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Michalinos
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75 Street, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Vassilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Protogerou
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75 Street, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kotsiomitis
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75 Street, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazarakis
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75 Street, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dimovelis
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75 Street, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Troupis