OBJECTIVETo explore early treatment and technique of grade-III open fracture of tibia and fibula and to summarize the experience of the treatment with external fixation.

METHODSThe retrospective analysis were carried out in 168 cases of grade-III open tibial and fibular fractures. One hundred and twenty cases were treated with external fixation,and others were treated with intramedullary nail or amputated. Among 120 patients treated with external fixation in early stage, 86 were male and 34 were female. The age ranged from 18 to 67 years with an average of 36.8 years.

RESULTSOne hundred and eleven patients achieved the excellent or good results, some of them underwent later repair of soft tissues. One case was nonunion because of infection and malreduction, and amputation in later stage in 8 cases.

CONCLUSIONTreatment with external fixation in early stage is an ideal method for grade-III open fractures of tibia and fibula. Good reduction integrated with simple internal and external fixation is favorable for the repair of soft tissue and union of fracture.