Objective: To explore the clinical ef-fects of external fixation associated with limited internal fixa-tion on treatment of Gustilo grade Ⅲ leg fractures.Methods: From July 2006 to December 2008, 40 cases of Gustilo grade Ⅲ leg fiactures were emergently treated in our unit with external fixation frames.Soft tissue injuries were grouped according to the Gustilo classification as ⅢA in 17 cases, ⅢB in 13 cases, and ⅢC in 10 cases.All the patients were debrided within 8 hours, and then fracture reposition was preformed to reestablish the leg alignment.Limited internal fixation with plates and screws were per-formed on all the Gustilo Ilia cases and 10 Gustilo ⅢB cases at the first operation.But all the Gustilo ⅢC cases and 3 Gustilo ⅢB cases who had severe soft tissue injuries and bone loss only received Vacuum-sealing drainage (VSD).Broad-spectrum antibiotics were regularly used and VSD must be especially maintained easy and smooth for one week or more after operation.Limited internal fixation and transplanted free skin flaps or adjacent musculocutaneous flaps were not used to close wounds until the conditions of the wounds had been improved.Results: The first operations were completed within 90-210 minutes (170 minutes on average).The blood trans-fusions were from 400 ml to 1500 ml (those used for anti-shock preoperatively not included).All the 40 patients in this study were followed up for 6-28 months, 20.5 months on average.The lower limb function was evaluated accord-ing to the comprehensive evaluation standards of leg func-tion one year after operation and the results of 28 cases were excellent, 9 were good and 3 were poor.Conclusion: External fixation associated with limited internal fixation to treat Gustilo grade Ⅲ leg fractures can get satisfactory early clinical therapeutic effects.