The authors review 175 basal cell carcinomas of the face, treated primarily by surgery. The overall cure rate was 97%. Among these cases, 53 were treated by excision and immediate local flap reconstruction. Analysis of results in the latter group encourages the use of this method for virgin, untreated tumors provided basic rules of surgical oncology are followed. Furthermore, it has a definite advantage cosmetically over more conservative methods. If radiotherapy has been the initial treatment, however, immediate reconstruction after excision of a recurrent tumor should be contemplated reluctance.