GETTING THE MOST FROM THE SOLEUS MUSCLE

The bipennate soleus muscle has properly become entrenched as the musc le flap of choice for coverage of the middle third of the leg. Yet its potential versatility in fulfilling many other indications has been u nderstated. With minor alterations in the methodology for transfer, of ten the reach of the muscle can be extended to more proximal or even d istal defects in lieu of more complex solutions. Function preservation with hemisoleus flaps, the possibility of a cutaneous version, and us e as a dynamic muscle demonstrate the diversity of additional alternat ives. The merit of several techniques for augmenting circulation to th e unreliable ''reversed'' soleus flap further prove the limitations of this option. Recognizing that we can often ''get more'' from the sole us muscle than traditionally considered deserves reemphasis.