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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Plast Surg 2013; 46(01): 121-123
DOI: 10.4103/0970-0358.113729
Case Report
Association of Plastic Surgeons of India

Reconstruction of segmental defects of Achilles tendon: Is it a must in infected complex defects?

S. Raja Sabapathy
Department of Plastic Surgery, Hand, Reconstructive Microsurgery and Burns Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
,
Hari Venkataramani
Department of Plastic Surgery, Hand, Reconstructive Microsurgery and Burns Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
,
Latheesh Latheef
Department of Plastic Surgery, Hand, Reconstructive Microsurgery and Burns Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
,
Praveen Bhardwaj
Department of Plastic Surgery, Hand, Reconstructive Microsurgery and Burns Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
07 October 2019 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Loss of Achilles tendon combined with overlying soft tissue loss is a challenging problem. Multiple techniques like tendon graft with coverage by soft tissue flap or composite flaps have been used. All these options are technically demanding. Reports do exist whereby muscle flaps bridging the defect used as cover in course of time could transmit the tendon force across the defect. We are presenting a case where a free gracilis muscle flap used to cover the soft tissue defect at the Achilles tendon at 2 years follow up provided stable cover and produced active function of the Achilles tendon allowing the patient to stand tip toe. Mechanism of its action has been analysed by MRI and M-mode ultrasound. While in primary Achilles tendon injury reconstruction is still the recommended option, in complex situations mere filling of the gap with the flap without formal reconstruction of the tendon could give good functional outcome. This technique can be used in demanding situations.

KEY WORDS

Achilles tendon - gracilis - muscle flap - reconstruction
 
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