Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40927057›Full record

ArticleCase reports in plastic surgery & hand surgery2025

Microsurgical reconstruction of the heel: evaluation and decision-making recommendations based on a case series.

Federico Ziani, Corrado Rubino, Silvia Rampazzo, Matilde Tettamanzi, Giovanni Arrica, Ilaria Ginatempo, Claudia Trignano, Fabio Santanelli di Pompeo, Michail Sorotos, Emilio Trignano

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Case reports in plastic surgery & hand surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Federico ZianiPlastic Surgery Unit, University Hospital Trust of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Corrado RubinoPlastic Surgery Unit, University Hospital Trust of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Silvia RampazzoPlastic Surgery Unit, University Hospital Trust of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Matilde TettamanziPlastic Surgery Unit, University Hospital Trust of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Giovanni ArricaPlastic Surgery Unit, University Hospital Trust of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Ilaria GinatempoDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Claudia TrignanoDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Fabio Santanelli di PompeoDepartment of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sant' Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Michail SorotosDepartment of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sense Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sant' Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Emilio TrignanoPlastic Surgery Unit, University Hospital Trust of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Reconstruction of the calcaneal region presents unique challenges due to its complex anatomy and critical weight-bearing function. This retrospective study aims to report our experience in cases of calcaneal defects repaired with various free flap types, and to evaluate the long-term outcomes of the reconstructions. We retrospectively reviewed 25 patients who underwent microsurgical free flap reconstruction for calcaneal defects between January 1997 and March 2022. Demographics, defect characteristics, surgical techniques, and outcomes were analyzed. Out of the 25 cases, 18 patients (72%) were male, with a median age of 55 years. Successful reconstructions were achieved in 24 patients (96%) using various free flap types: ALT flap (8cases), Parascapular flap (4 cases), Gracilis flap (5 cases), TAP flap (5 cases), Radial forearm flap (2 cases), and in one case, deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) osteocutaneous flap. These reconstructions demonstrated good functional recovery and minimal complications. Only one case (4%) experienced flap failure due to venous thrombosis, necessitating revision surgery without success. The most frequent complication was the sliding (6 cases) due to the excessive bulk which was addressed with revision surgery. The average follow-up period was 8 months, with patients regaining satisfactory ambulation and improved quality of life. Based on our results, microsurgical free flap reconstruction has proven to be a valuable technique for addressing calcaneal defects and, according to many Authors, it offers a high success rate and favorable long-term outcomes. In selected cases, revision surgery may be necessary to address bulk-related issues.

Indexed as

heel defectheel free flap reconstructionmicrosurgerySkin wound healing and aesthetic outcomestrauma

Identifiers

PMID40927057
PMCPMC12416009

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.