[Primary conservative treatment of open tibial shaft fractures].

Between 1969 and 1976 104 open tibia shaft fractures were primarily conservatively treated. 85 of these fractures healed without complications. In 19 cases a late operation was necessary. In 3 cases an ostitis developed. The follow-up, after 4 1/2 years on average, of 59 exclusively conservatively treated patients, showed in 51 cases a good result. It appears that the conservative treatment of open tibia shaft fractures still provides a debatable alternative to primary osteosynthesis.