Objective To investigate feasibility and effect of external fixator plus steel plate in treatment of open tibiofibular fractures combined with tibial defect.Methods The study involved 21 patients with open fractures of tibia and fibula (15 patients with type Gastilo ⅢA,five with type Gastilo ⅢB and one with type Gastilo ⅢC) with concurrent tibial defect of 2-6 cm.External fixator plus fibular steel plate was performed at the first stage,followed by iliac bone grafting for bone defect at the second stage.Results All patients showed successful reconstruction of the tibial defects with length difference between affected and healthy extremities less than 2 cm in follow-up for (14.0 ± 10.5) months (range,8-24 months).Meanwhile,no talipes equinovarus existed.Conclusions External fixator plus steel plate is an effective method for treating open tibiofibular fractures combined with tibial defect.The length and function of the extremities of patients with open tibiofibular fractures combined with tibial defect of less than 6 cm can be successfully restored.