Versatility of Local Fasciocutaneous Island Flaps for Resurfacing Soft Tissue Defects Overlying the Achilles Tendon

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects overlying the Achilles tendon has always been a challenge. Various modalities of reconstruction have been described to resurface such defects. We aimed to assess the functional and cosmetic outcomes of all patients who had undergone reconstruction of small and medium sized soft tissue defects of the Achilles region using local fasciocutaneous island flaps.

This retrospective study was conducted from January 2020 to June 2022. 15 patients with small (≤ 30 cm²) and medium (30-90 cm²) sized soft tissue defects of the tendo-Achilles region, underwent reconstruction with local fasciocutaneous island flaps and had complete medical records, were included.

Thirteen patients were male (86.7%). The mean age was 53.2 years. 5 cases (33.3%) had post-traumatic open AT injuries with skin avulsion, while ten patients (66.7%) had suture line complications after open repair of spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture. Defect sizes ranged from 12 to 63 cm2. Reverse sural flap was used in 5 patients (33.3%) and medial plantar flap in 10 patients (66.7%). All flaps survived completely. Complications were detected in 3 patients (20%); 1 distal superficial necrosis in a sural flap and 2 marginal minimal graft loss. Functional outcome was good in 12 patients (80%), excellent in 1 patient (6.7%) and fair in 2 patients (13.3%). 13 patients (86.7%) were satisfied with the cosmetic results.

Local fasciocutenous island flaps are reliable and simple solutions for covering small to moderate soft tissue defects overlying the Achilles Tendon, with acceptable functional and cosmetic outcomes.