The musculocutaneous sural artery flap for soft-tissue coverage after calcaneal fracture

Abstract

Soft-tissue defects following calcaneal fractures can be covered in a relatively easy and safe procedure. We have modified the familiar distally based sural artery flap by lifting a part of the gastrocnemius muscle. With an inferior pedicle, this musulocutaneous flap can be rotated onto the defect on the sole of the foot and on the heel. Five patients with open fractures of the calcaneus or wound necrosis after osteosynthesis were treated with this procedure. Two defects were covered uneventfully, two flaps were prepared, the rotation being done in a secondary procedure. One patient demanded further revisions, and the flap was partially lost, but the remaining defect was covered after open treatment. This new musculocutaneous sural artery flap can be used for covering even an extensive defect after calcaneal fractures and seems to be a reliable procedure. Morbidity at the donor site is low, and in the case of failure, the free flap remains an alternative.