[Sensation restoration of the heel: report of 44 cases]

Forty-four patients with acute skin loss or chronic scarring around ankle were treated by skin transplantation for covering the skin defect or replacing the scar tissue as well as restoring sensation. 13 of them were treated by pedicled sensorineural island flap, 23 by sensorineural free flap, and 8 transplanting sensorineural band into the skin flap. Follow-up study for 2 to 6 years revealed that sensation of pain, temperature and touch was normal in each flap, with 2-point discrimination of 20 to 60 mm. Trophic ulcer never developed in any case though on weight-bearing at least for 6 hours daily. Block of the sensory nerve proximal to the flap with 2% procaine in 6 cases resulted in senselessness over the flap area. The surgical procedures and the merits of every one of the three types of operation were described and discussed.