Microvascular free flap and fasciocutanues flap in the soft tissue coverage of the foot

Introduction: the lower extremity requires an understanding of the ways in wich such reconstruction differs from that of the upper extremity. The weight-bearing requirements are the most obvious difference. The difference between the cutaneous coverage on the plantar surface on the foot and that on the dorsum has important implication for reconstruction of defects in these areas-There are few operative techniques for reconstruction of the posttraumatic heel defects, in our study we have been compared two techniques, free microvascular flap and reverse supramaleolar fasciocutanus flap. Aim: the aim of the study is evaluation of the postoperative results comparing these two methods, evaluation of validity of faciocutaneus flap as alterantive method in the heel reconstruction and correlation between preexisting diseases and choice of the operative method. Material and methods: in testing were included 60 patients with posttraumatic heel defects, of different etiology, divided in two groups. The first group of 30 patient with posttraumatic heel defects, has been treated by microvascular free flap. The other group of 30 patients with posttraumatic heel defects has been treated by reverse supramaleolar fasciocutaneous flap. We have evaluated postoperative results of 20 patients, divided into two identical groups. Expected results: hell defects can be treated successfully using free microvascular flap and reverse faciocutanus flap, which is a good alternative tecnique for the heel reconstruction and also in the case of compromitation of the free microvascular flap