Medial hemisoleus muscle flap: a reliable flap for soft tissue reconstruction of the middle-third tibial wound

Although the medial hemisoleus muscle has been considered a local reconstructive option for soft-tissue reconstruction of the middle-third tibial wound, its reliability and usefulness has been debated among plastic surgeons. This study reports one surgeon's experience with medial hemisoleus muscle flaps and shows their application for soft tissue reconstruction of middle-third tibial wounds. Over the past 2 years, 10 patients underwent soft tissue reconstruction of a middle-third tibial wound with a medial hemisoleus muscle flap and skin graft. The flap was elevated with emphasis on the preservation of as many perforators to the flap as possible while allowing adequate arch rotation of the flap to cover the exposed tibia and/or hardware. All patients were followed for up to 2 years. There was no total flap loss, and limb salvage was achieved in every patient in this series. Only two patients with peripheral vascular disease developed small partial but insignificant distal flap necrosis and were treated with debridement and flap advancement. The tibial wounds of all patients subsequently healed with excellent cosmetic outcome during follow-up. The results from this study indicate that the medial hemisoleus muscle flap is reliable for soft-tissue reconstruction of a middle-third tibial wound. Meticulous flap elevation with the preservation of perforators to the flap is the key for such success.