Objective To observe the effect of reading man flap in repairing surgical defects of skin and soft tissue tumors of the head and face.

Methods A total of 120 patients with surgical defects of skin and soft tissue tumors of the head and face were randomly divided into control group (treated with fatty pedicle flap repair) and study group (treated with reading man flap repair), with 60 cases in each group. The incision healing rate, flap survival rate, flap repair effect, and quality of life were compared between the two groups.

Results There were no significant differences in the incision healing rate and flap survival rate between the two groups (P>0.05). Six months after the repair, the scores of flap function, aesthetics and color in both groups improved significantly compared with those before the repair in the same group, and the flap function, aesthetics and color scores of the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Six months after the repair, the scores of material life, social function, psychological function, and physical function dimensions of the Generic Quality of Life Inventory-74 (GQOL-74) in both groups improved significantly compared with those before the repair, and the score of each dimension of the GQOL-74 in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Application of reading man flap in surgical defects of skin and soft tissue tumors of the head and face can improve the flap repair effect and the quality of life of patients, and it is an effective method for repairing skin and soft tissue tumors of the head and face.