OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic efficacy of Modified Taohe Chengqi Granule (MTCG) combined mannitol for treating complicated edema in affected limbs of patients after tibiofibulas double fracture operation (TDFO).

METHODSTotally 64 TDFO patients complicated edema were randomly assigned to the treated group and the control group, 32 in each group. Those in the treated group took MTCG combined intravenous dripping of mannitol, while those in the control group received intravenous dripping of mannitol alone. The treatment course was 1 week. The clinical efficacy, the onset time, the swelling degree, and the pain index were observed and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSOne week after operation, the effective rate was 98.0% and the markedly effective rate was 87.5% in the treated group, while they were 78.0% and 56.9% respectively in the control group. Better results were obtained in the treated group, showing statistical difference when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). As for the onset time for swelling subsiding, it was (2.4 +/- 1.3) days in the treated group and (3.8 +/- 2.9) days in the control group. There was statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Better effects on the swelling subsiding degree and the pain index were obtained in the treated group, showing statistical difference when compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMTCG combined mannitol could obviously abate the edema in affected limbs of patients after TDFO. It was a better treatment method for managing edema in the peri-operative period of orthopedics.