Short-Term and Long-Term Functional Evaluation of Reconstruction of Ankle and Foot Defects from a Tertiary Trauma Centre in Odisha.

[AIM OF THE STUDY] To compare functional, aesthetic, and sensory recovery of the reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the heel,ankle, and foot between free anterolateral thigh flap and radial forearm flap.

[MATERIAL AND METHODS] A retrospective study was conducted for 20 patients who underwent operations between April 2021 and September 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on defect size below or above 10cm in the largest dimension. Patients with defects below 10 cm in the largest dimension were treated with radial forearm flap and 8 patients whose defects were of more than 10 cm in their largest dimension were treated using a free anterolateral thigh flap. Post-operatively, weight-bearing and walking were avoided for 8 to 10 weeks. All patients were evaluated by an independent observer who evaluated functional recovery and sensory recovery in all patients.

[RESULTS] All patients were followed up for 24 months. Aetiology of the defect were trauma (16 patients), and malignant ulcer (4 patients). There was a significant difference between the radial forearm group and the ALT group in Social issues, walking, stiffness, and activity limitation in the early period, but there was no significant difference between the two groups after 24 months as far as functional recovery was concerned.

[CONCLUSION] Radial artery forearm flaps and anterolateral thigh flaps can be used as workhorse flaps to simplify the reconstructive option for the reconstruction of large heel and ankle defects to provide acceptable functional and aesthetic outcomes.