Heel Defect Reconstruction using Local Vascularized Flaps: Results and Clinical Outcomes in 16 Patients

The defects in the heel result mainly from trauma followed by burns, infections, and tumor resections. If allowed to heal by secondary intention, it will cause pain, difficulty in shoe wear, and be prone to injuries with trivial trauma. Thus, it becomes a difficult situation for the patient. There has always been a challenge to reconstruct heel for decades for the reconstructive surgeon. It is because of lack of tissue of the same thickness, consistency, and texture to match the heel pad, which is required for the proper propelling action of it. We have reconstructed 16 heels with the help of local flaps, which showed satisfactory results.