Abstract:Objective To compare the efficacy and knee joint function between mininmally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) and conventional surgery in treatment of fracture of tibia plateau. Methods Ninety-five cases with fracture of tibia plateau that were given surgical treatment were selected as research subjects and their clinical materials were retrospectively analyzed. Then, these cases were divided into convention group (n = 39) and minimally invasive group (n = 56) according to the operation type. The convention group was given open reduction and internal fixation, while the minimally invasive group was given MIPPO. Operation situation, incidences of complications, ranges of motion and knee joint functions of the two groups were compared. Results All patients underwent successful operation. In comparison with the convention group, the minimally invasive group had a statistically shorter incision [(3.9 ±1.3) vs (8.6 ±1.8) cm], shorter hospitalization time [(10.3 ±2.2) vs (14.2 ±2.8) d] and healing time [(11.3 ±2.6) vs (14.6 ±2.4) w] (all P < 0.05), while the operation time between the two groups was not statistically different (P > 0.05). After operation, the incidence of complications was 1.78% in the minimally invasive group and 12.82% in the convention group with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Six months after operation, the minimally invasive group had bigger maximal knee extension and crouch angles than the convention group[(-0.64 ±0.16)vs (-0.36 ±0.10), (130.57 ±7.34)vs (114.77 ±6.81)respectively, P< 0.05]. After one-year follow-up, the minimally invasive group had an excellent and good rate of 96.4%, which was statistically higher than that of 82.1% in the convention group (P < 0.05). Conclusions MIPPO is an effective operation method for fracture of tibia plateau, and has advantages of little trauma, fast recovery after operation, much improved function of knee joint. But its complication rate is not different from open reduction and internal fixation. MIPPO should be further studied in future.