PURPOSE: We have followed up the patients of the humeral shaft fracture who had been treated with dynamic compression plate or locked intramedullary nail, which are common therapeutic options, compared them and analyzed results and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyse the clinical results, radiological results and complications of 50 cases of the humeral shaft fracture who were treated with dynamic compression plate(DCP) or intramedullary nail(IMN) at the Pusan National University Hospital from March in 1996 to February in 2001. RESULTS: We find the no significant difference in range of motion of the shoulder, infection, operation time, operative bleeding loss and second radial nerve palsy but 4 cases of shoulder pain and 1 case of shoulder impingement in IMN group. We find the no significant difference in mean bone union time in both groups but 2 cases of nonunion in DCP group and 4 cases of nonunion in IMN group. Complications happened in 4 case of DCP group (total 26 cases) and 2nd surgery was needed in 3 cases(11.5%). However complications happened in 10 cases of IMN group (total 24 cases) and second surgery was needed in 6 cases(25%). CONCLUSION: The treatment results of the humeral shaft fracture with dynamic compression plate is much better than intramedullary nail except specific pathologic or segmental fracture pattern.