Distally Based Posterior Tibial Artery Perforator Flaps for Reconstruction of the Defects in Achilles Region.
Li P, Li Z, Shen G1.
Author information
1
Department of Burn Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Patients with Achilles region defects remain a challenge for clinicians. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the surgical procedure to reconstruct the defects in Achilles region using distally based posterior tibial artery perforator flaps.

METHODS:
Between May 2015 and May 2017, 10 patients (aged from 35 to 68 years. 4 females and 6 males) with soft-tissue defects (sizes from 3 × 2 cm to 8 × 4 cm) in Achilles region received surgical therapy of posterior tibial artery perforator flap transplantation in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University.

RESULTS:
The length of hospital stay ranged from 10 to 15 days (mean, 12 days). Local small superficial necrosis (5% of the area) was observed in only 1 case; however, it healed well after dressing was changed. All the others survived and healed well. At follow-up ranging from 12 to 24 months, all patients were satisfied with the aesthetic and functional aspects.

CONCLUSIONS:
Using the posterior tibial artery perforator flaps to cover the Achilles region defects is a promising, feasible, first-line, safe option and should be extensively applied in clinical therapy.

PMID: 31232811 DOI: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000001909