Introduction
Reconstruction of defects of Achilles tendon and overlying tissues is a
challenging undertaking1,2. These defects are
typically caused by trauma, infection, or excision of
tumors3. The relatively poor blood perfusion and the
thin overlying skin renders this area vulnerable to trauma and
complications4. Several different approaches are used
for reconstruction of the Achilles region depending upon the mechanism
of trauma and individual factors. The type of reconstruction is
determined based on several factors including the length of achilles
tendon defect, the extent of loss of overlying tissues, and the general
health of the patient. The spectrum of repair methods range from
secondary healing to use of free flaps5-9. Owing to
the challenging nature of Achilles reconstruction, selection of the most
reliable option is a key imperative to achieve favorable outcomes.
In the contemporary literature, there is no clear consensus on the
optimal approach for reconstruction of defects of the Achilles tendon
and the overlying tissues. In this study, we describe our treatment
methods for repair of Achilles region defects and evaluated the outcomes
of Achilles region reconstruction in a cohort of patients treated at a
single center over a 4-year period.