Abstract: Objective To investigate the efficacy of retrograde sural neurovascular flap in the repair of soft-tissue defect after the surgery for calcaneal fractures with lateral approach.Methods From September 2009 to December 2011,24 patients with soft-tissue defect after the surgery for calcaneal fractures with lateral approach were treated with retrograde sural neurovascular flap.The tissue defects ranged from 3.0 cm × 1.5 cm to 5.0 cm × 2.5 cm and were repaired with retrograde sural neurovascular flaps ranged from 4.0 cm × 3.0 cm to 6.0 cm × 4.0 cm in size.Sural nerve and local cutaneous nerve were anastomosed was done to reconstruct cutaneous sensation.Results All flaps survived completely without vascular problems.The donor site and wound were healed by first intention.All the patients were followed up for 6 to 15 months.The flap appearance was satisfactory.No pigmentation and contraction were observed.The two-point discrimination of the flap was 7-12 mm.Conclusion Using retrograde sural neurovascular flap is an ideal method in repairing the soft-tissue defect after the surgery for calcaneal fractures with lateral approach.

Key words: Calcaneal fracture, Lateral approach, Soft-tissue defect, Retrograde sural neurovascular flap