Heel Coverage with a T-shaped Distally Based Sural Island Fasciocutaneous Flap

Abstract

Two cases of heel damage that were reconstructed with a T-shaped distally based island fasciocutaneous flap in the sural area are presented. This flap is vascularized by the distal sural arterial network. The advantages of this flap are: (1) It does not sacrifice any major arteries of the leg. (2) It covers the whole calcaneal area with a one-stage operation. (3) It can be elevated without losing any nerve sensitization in the leg. (4) The donor site can be closed with primary sutures when the flap is small enough. We conclude that our procedure is suitable for reconstructing soft tissue defects of the calcaneal area.