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Long‐term clinical and p atient‐reported outcomes in free flap reconstruction of the w eight‐bearing heel pad and n on‐weight‐bearing Achilles tendon regions
Author(s) -
Grauberger Jennifer N.,
Gibreel Waleed O.,
Moran Steven L.,
Carlsen Brian T.,
Bakri Karim
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.30658
Subject(s) - medicine , heel , interquartile range , ankle , surgery , weight bearing , achilles tendon , achilles tendon rupture , retrospective cohort study , tendon , anatomy
Background The non‐weight‐bearing (NWB) Achilles tendon and weight‐bearing (WB) heel pad regions are technically challenging to reconstruct with distinct functional and aesthetic considerations that have not been previously considered in the literature. This study is the first to characterize the long‐term clinical and patient‐reported outcomes of these components to better inform patients about the postreconstruction period. Methods A retrospective review of medical records and phone‐based survey of adult patients who underwent free flap reconstruction of the heel/ankle with 6‐month minimum clinical follow‐up was performed. Results Forty‐three patients, with 31 (72.1%) NWB and 12 (27.9%) WB defects, treated from January 1, 2000 to February 28, 2017 were included. Muscle flaps were more common than fasciocutaneous flaps ( N = 36 [83.7%] vs. 7 [16.3%]). Flap survival rate was 95.3% and limb salvage rate was 93.0% at median follow‐up of 12.0 months (interquartile range [IQR] 6.2, 25.5). Flap ulceration occurred more frequently in the WB region (41.7 vs. 6.5%, p = .0123). The survey response rate was 63.6%. The majority of patients complete daily tasks with no/little impairment (76.2%), walk half a mile or more (85.7%), returned to work (86.6%), and fit shoes “fair” or “well” (71.4%). Most patients were “very satisfied” with heel/ankle function (71.4%) and would “very likely” undergo the same procedure if needed (76.2%). Conclusions Free flap reconstruction in both the NWB Achilles tendon and WB heel pad has excellent limb salvage and flap survival rates. Patients were satisfied with heel/ankle function, but additional counseling is recommended for variance in appearance and higher ulceration rates in WB defects.