BACKGROUND Tibia is the most frequent site of an open fracture, with incidence ranging from 49.4% to 63.2%. Their treatment, prognosis, and outcome are mainly determined by the mechanism of injury, degree of comminution, soft tissue injury and displacement. The best mode of treatment is elusive in high-energy tibial fractures. Ilizarov fixator was chosen to fix those fractures that produced high rate of complications with most conventional methods of fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study

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... nsists of 40 cases of grossly comminuted compound fracture of tibia treated using Ilizarov technique at Govt. Royapettah Hospital, Chennai from 2004 to 2008. RESULTS In our study, all 40 cases were followed up until union. Patients were assessed for pain and functional limitations, examined for angular and rotational malalignment and range of motion. Pin tract infection occurred in 4 (10%) cases. 2 (5%) patients had an angulation of 5° at the fracture site, and 4 (10%) had shortening between 1-2 cm. Union was clinically verified by the absence of pain and motion while fully weight bearing on the tibia with the frame still attached and destabilised. Union was determined to be the time when fracture healing occurred and all forms of immobilisation or support were discontinued. Union occurred at an average of 5.3 months (3.5 to 8.5 months). CONCLUSION Ilizarov technique has a definite role in the management of fracture of tibia like open comminuted fracture, open segmental fracture and open fracture with bone loss. It reduces hospital stay, allows full functional recovery, permits early weight bearing and gives definite union.