Abductor digiti minimi muscle flap transfer to prevent wound healing complications after ORIF of calcaneal fractures.

OBJECTIVES To examine the transfer of abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscle flaps as a method for preventing wound healing complications in cases of closed calcaneal fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). METHOD DESIGN Retrospective review. PATIENTS Twenty-six cases of acute closed calcaneal fracture in patients at risk for serious wound complications or with serious fractures. INTERVENTION During the ORIF surgery, an ADM muscle flap was removed and used to cover the plate, filling the gap between the plate and skin. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Wound healing rates, postoperative complications, and time to heal. RESULTS All wounds healed uneventfully, except for one case of minor superficial epithelial necrosis during the early postoperative period, which was treated conservatively. All patients regained ambulatory status with regular foot apparel. At last follow-up, the patients presented no clinical, laboratory, or radiological signs of complications. CONCLUSIONS This ADM muscle flap transfer technique appeared to successfully prevent wound healing complications among patients undergoing ORIF for closed calcaneal fractures. This method offers a promising treatment option for calcaneal fractures in patients at high risk for serious wound complications, and future studies with greater numbers of cases are needed to further investigate its clinical application.