Objective:To analyze the clinical efficacy of bone transport with unilateral external fixation in the treatment of massive tibial bone defects.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to review the 21 patients with massive tibial bone defects who had been treated by bone transport with unilateral external fixation from February 2017 to January 2022 at Department of Trauma Orthopedics, Ganzhou People's Hospital. There were 14 males and 7 females with a mean age of (46.3 ± 11.3) years. Causes for bone defects: trauma ( n=5), resection of bone non-union ( n=9), resection of infected bone ( n=6) and resection of bone tumor ( n=1). The mean bone defect length was (8.3 ± 1.7) cm. Bone transport started from 10 to 12 days after operation, with a speed of 1 mm/d, and was completed in 4 times. X-ray films were reviewed every 2 weeks. The bone union time, external fixation time (EFT), external fixation index (EFI), docking site situation and complications were recorded. The clinical efficacy was assessed by Paley score. Results:All patients were followed-up for a mean time of (13.5 ± 5.5) months. The mineralization of regenerated bone was good. The bone union time was (9.6 ± 2.2) months, the EFT (10.3 ± 4.0) months, and the EFI (1.3 ± 0.4) months/cm. All docking sites got united. The docking sites were cleaned in 14 patients, of whom simple compression with external fixation was performed in 5 and bone grafts at the docking sites in 9. Postoperative nail tract infection was observed in 6 cases, tibial alignment deviation in 1 case, foot drop deformity in 5 cases, horseshoe varus foot deformity in 1 case, toe flexion deformity in 3 cases, and refracture after removing the external fixation in 1 case. By the Paley score, the bony outcomes were rated as excellent in 16 and as good in 5 cases. The functional outcomes were excellent in 10, good in 7, and acceptable in 4.Conclusion:Bone transport with unilateral external fixation is an effective treatment for massive tibial bone defects, showing advantages of easy operation and convenient carry.