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"Saving the Step: Functional Outcomes of Medial Plantar Artery Flap Reconstruction in Elderly Patients"
Feno Daniel Monaco, BS1
Rebecca Norcini, MD2
Joshua Henderson, MD3
Kate Schwartzman, BS1,
Halil Safak Uygur, MD2.
1West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA, 2West Virginia University Department of Surgery, Morgantown, WV, USA,
3University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
West Virginia University School of Medicine
2026-01-10
Presenter: Feno Monaco
Affidavit:
This student has my permission to submit the abstract and I have confirmed the percentages of work in each category: conception and design, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, and draft and revision.
I have no financial conflicts.
Director Name: Kerri M. Woodberry, MD, MBA January 8, 2026
Author Category: Medical Student
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
Background:
Reconstructive heel surgery after oncologic excision presents unique challenges in maintaining sensation, functionality, and ambulation in a weight bearing surface of the foot. In geriatric populations, ambulation is crucial in reducing future morbidity and mortality. The medial plantar artery flap is an efficacious solution.
Purpose: We aim to describe the preservation of sensation and ambulation when utilizing the medial plantar artery flap after cancer excision of the heel.
Methods:
This case series consisted of three geriatric patients undergoing cancer resection of the heel. The patient population was made up of one 69 year old male and two female patients who were 62 and 90 years old. The site of cancerous excision was covered with the medial plantar artery flap. The flap consisted of the medial plantar artery, venae comitantes, and a sensory branch of the medial plantar nerve with the surrounding tissue. Patients were asked questions about heel sensation and evaluated for ambulatory function at their follow up visits.
Results:
In all three cases, patients achieved ambulation postoperatively. The time to ambulation varied between three and six months after surgery. All three patients reported the area of surgical repair as sensate.
Conclusions:
The Medial Plantar Artery Flap is an appealing coverage approach after cancerous excision of the heel to maintain intact sensation and ambulation postoperatively.
