The authors analyzed retrospectively 32 patients of tibial open fracture who underwent unlearned intramedullary nailing at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Lee-Rha general hospital from September 1992 to August 1994 with minimal 1 year follow up.

In 32 cases, the average age was 37.5 years old and the most common injury was traffic accident(25 cases,78%). Twenty seven cases were male(84.4%) and 5 cases female(15.5%). There were 17 cases of Type A fracture(53%),12 cases Type B(37.5%) and 3 cases Type C(19.5%) by A-O classification, and 11 cases were Type I open fracture(34%) by Gustilo - Anderson classification, 15 cases, Type B (47%) and 6 cases, Type III (19%). The average bone union time was 14.8 weeks except one case of infected non-union.

We concluded that unlearned intramedullary nailing is recommended for the compatible treatment metnod of tibial open fractures.