[Comparison of treatment of fractures of the tibia by plates and by küntscher nails.].

In a retrospective investigation the authors compare the results achieved in a group of casualties with a fresh fracture of the tibia/fracture of the leg as a single injury, who were treated by osteosynthesis with a plate (15 patients) or an intramedullary Küntscher nail (19 patients). The two groups were evaluated as identical and the achieved results do not differ significantly. An intramedullary nail has a wider range of use, it is irreplaceable in fractures with a long comminuted zone or fractures at different levels. Satisfactory results can be obtained by both approaches, if the indication is adequate. Key words: fractures of the tibia (leg), synthesis with the plate technique, synthesis with an intramedullary nail, comparison of groups.