title: [Multicentre study on treatment of unstable tibiofibular fracture with percutem clamp therapy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To objectively evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety and technical operating standard of percutem clamp fixation (PCCF), an operation designed by imitating bone setting method of TCM, in treating unstable tibiofibular fracture (UTF).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective controlled multicentre clinical study was carried out on 200 patients with UTF, they were assigned to the treated group (99 cases) treated with PCCF and the control group (101 cases) treated with unilateral multifunctional external fixator (UMFEF).
  
  
  RESULTS
  PCCF showed better effects than UMFEF in reducing the time of fixing operation and healing time; and the immediate effect after removing the fixating apparatus and long-term efficacy as well as safety in the treated group were also superior to those in the control group (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is convenient, safe and effective to treat UTF by fixation with percutem clamp.
authors.affiliation: Luoyang Orthopedics Hospital, Henan. yml0708@sina.com
authors.forename: Ming-lu
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Zhan-chao
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shu-tu
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000293:injuries*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome