[Infection incidence following closed or open nailing of closed fractures].

The results of all attainable reports on medullary nailing were examined to answer the question, to which extend open nailing increases the risk of infection compared to closed nailing. Out of 9601 operation-reports 5952 were suitable for evaluation. Open nailing multiplies the risk of infection 4 to five times. The tibia is endangered by infection twice as often as the femur.