title: Meta-analysis of two surgical approaches for calcaneal fractures: sinus tarsi versus extensile lateral approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There remains a controversy between extensile lateral approach and sinus tarsi approach (STA) to treat calcaneal fractures. The aim of this study is to evaluate the medium- and long-term outcomes of the STA versus extensile lateral approach in terms of intraoperative variables, quality of alignment on a lateral radiograph incidence of wound healing complication, visual analogue scale and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society for the treatment of calcaneal fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant original studies were searched in PubMed, Medline and Embase and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (January 1990 and November 2015). Studies included in this meta-analysis had to compare the effectiveness or complications and provide sufficient data of interest. The patients treated by both methods were similar statistically in age, gender or injury mechanism. The Stata 11.0 was used to analyse all data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight studies involving 564 participants were included. STA was associated with decreased incidence of overall complications (odds ratio: 0.14; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05-0.38) and wound healing complications (odds ratio: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.06-0.41) and lower visual analogue scale score (standardized mean difference: -1.28; 95% CI: -2.27 to -0.29). However, there were no significant differences in other adverse events including the quality of anatomical reduction and the excellent and good rate according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The existing evidence supports STA to be a better approach for treating calcaneal fractures, and this might aid in the management of this injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.|Key Laboratory of Biomechanics of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Department, Union Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China.|Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Hongtao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.|Key Laboratory of Biomechanics of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
authors.forename: Shilun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.|Key Laboratory of Biomechanics of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.|Key Laboratory of Biomechanics of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
authors.forename: Tianhua
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.|Key Laboratory of Biomechanics of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
authors.forename: Yanbin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.|Key Laboratory of Biomechanics of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
authors.forename: Yingze
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D002111:Calcaneus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: calcaneal fractures; extensile lateral approach; meta-analysis; sinus tarsi approach