OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effects of repairing skin defect after resection of cutaneous malignant tumors. METHODS: From 1984 to 2001, cutaneous malignant tumors of 38 patients were resected and diagnosed pathologically. There were 12 cutaneous squamous cancer, 14 carinal cutaneous fibrosarcomas, 2 in situ cancers, 1 wart like cancer, 4 eczematoid cancers, and 5 deteriorative chronic ulcers. The biggest skin defect was 14 cm x 20 cm in size. Skin defects were repaired with flaps, myocutaneous flaps, free skin grafts and suturations. There were 4 gastronomies flaps, 6 latissimus flaps, 2 tensor fascia lata myocutaneous flaps, 1 transverse recuts abdominis myocutaneous flap, 5 plantaris medialis flaps, 3 random flaps, 12 free skin grafts and 5 suturings. RESULTS: All the operations succeed. Among 21 cases followed up for 3 to 12 years, 19 healed and 2 relapsed, but the 2 patients healed after second operation. CONCLUSION: Thorough resection of tumor is the key to eradicate malignant tumor. The method to repair skin defect after resection should be chosen according to the patients individually.