Mechanical traction and percutaneous reduction by leverage and fixation by a bilateral groove externalfixator were performed on 23 patients with complex tibial plateau fractures involving a depressed and splitfragments. The fixator is composed of two long groove frames

three to five nuts

hooked bolts and Stein-manns pins.All fractures united in good position in three months with no incision （only pinpricks）

llttle operativetrauma and no significant complications but pintract infection

and the flexion-extension range of kneemovement was excllent in all patients

so that this technique is particularly advisable for complex tibialplateau fractures.