Ultrathin Free Flaps for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction | Dr. Daniel Gould

Dr. Daniel Gould co-authored this research published in The Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery, examining the use of ultrathin free flaps to reconstruct complex soft tissue defects of the foot and ankle.

Soft tissue reconstruction in this region presents a particular challenge because coverage must protect exposed structures while remaining thin and flexible enough to preserve movement, footwear compatibility, and the natural contour of the foot and ankle.

Traditional reconstructive flaps can sometimes create excessive bulk, potentially requiring later debulking procedures or modifications to footwear. The researchers explored whether ultrathin free flaps harvested along suprafascial tissue planes could provide effective coverage while minimizing these concerns.

The report presents two cases in which ultrathin free flaps were used to reconstruct foot and ankle defects. By carefully selecting and harvesting thin, pliable tissue, the surgical approach was designed to provide durable coverage without unnecessarily altering the contour of the reconstructed area.

Both cases demonstrated favorable functional and contour outcomes, highlighting the potential advantages of thin free tissue transfer in anatomically demanding areas where both protection and mobility are essential.

The research contributes to the refinement of microsurgical lower extremity reconstruction, demonstrating how flap thickness and tissue selection can be tailored to the specific functional and aesthetic requirements of the foot and ankle.