Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of different internal fixation methods for midfoot and forefoot fractures. 
Methods The clinical data of 33 patients with midfoot and forefoot fractures who underwent internal fixation with absorbable screws in Beijing Luhe Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University were retrospectively analyzed and included in the observation group. In addition, 33 patients with midfoot and forefoot fractures who underwent internal fixation with titanium alloy screws in our hospital during the same period were included in the control group. Perioperative indicators of two groups were recorded and compared, and the foot and ankle function in both groups surgery before and at 3 months after surgery were evaluated using Maryland Foot Score (MFS) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score. The levels of inflammatory cytokines ［procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP)］ in the two groups were detected, and the incidence of complications between the two groups was observed and compared. 
Results The duration of operation, length of hospitalization and duration of fracture healing in observation group were significantly shorter than those in control group (t=3.492, 2.607, 7.581, P＜0.05). At 3 months after surgery, MFS and AOFAS scores in both groups were higher than those before surgery (P＜0.05), and higher in the observation group than in the control group (t=3.034, 3.041, P＜0.05). At 3 months after surgery, the levels of PCT, IL-6 and CRP in the two groups were lower than those before surgery (P＜0.05), and lower in the observation group than in the control group (t=3.816, 10.315, 10.050, P＜0.001). There was no significant diffence in the total incidence of complications between the two groups (χ2=2.747, P=0.099). 
Conclusion Internal fixation with absorbable screw in the surgical treatment of midfoot and forefoot fracture has a significant effect, which can promote the recovery of fracture and ankle function, reduce the patient′s inflammatory response, and has a high safety. Therefore, it is worthy of clinical application and promotion. 

Key words: fracture fixation, internal, inflammatory response, postoperative complications