title: Minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis through fracture site approach for fracture of both tibia and fibula.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To introduce the experience of treating fracture of both tibia and fibula with micro-invasive percutaneous plate internal fixation through fracture site approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data of 15 patients (11 males and 4 females), including 14 adults (aged 22-73 years, mean equal to 40 years) and 1 child (aged 10 years), with fracture of both tibia and fibula were studied retrospectively in this study. A small incision was made at the fracture site of tibia. Then reposition was made under direct vision, and internal fixation was employed with steel plates inserting through the small incision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anatomical reduction was obtained. No complication was found. Union occurred on time in 14 patients. One case healed after a second operation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Micro-invasive percutaneous plate internal fixation is beneficial to the healing of bone and soft tissues. Without X-ray examination, it is also easy to reach anatomical reduction and make tibial internal fixation with both plates with micro-invasive percutaneous plate internal fixation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Lihuili Hospital, Medical Center of Ningbo City, Ningbo 315040, China. qifeng@nbip.net.com
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Lu-wei
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000293:injuries*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery*