Objective To explore the clinical application of tissue flap in repairing the residual cavity formed by breast conserving surgery. Methods Retrospective analysis for clinical data of 120 early breast cancer patients who received breast conserving surgery in our hospital from January 2013 to December 2016 was performed. Among them, 60 cases (observation group) were implemented tissue flap repairing operation while the other 60 cases (control group) were operated by using the traditional surgery method. The clinical data of the two groups were compared analytically in four aspects: postoperative complications, postoperative breast beauty, subjective satisfaction of patients, and postoperative recurrence and metastasis. Results ① Postoperative complications: 3 cases of complications occurred in the control groupand 2 cases in the observation group, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the 2 groups (χ2=0.209, P=0.648). ② Postoperative breast beauty: in the control group, there were 23 excellent cases, 16 good cases, 12 common cases, and 9 poor cases; in the observation group, there were 51 excellent cases, 5 good cases, 3 common cases, and 1 poor cases. The difference of postoperative breast beauty between the 2 groups was statistically significant (Z=–5.234, P<0.001). ③ Subjective satisfaction of patients: in the control group, 28 cases very satisfied, 18 cases satisfied, 12 cases generally satisfied, and 2 cases dissatisfied; in the observation group, 40 cases satisfied, 18 cases very satisfied, and 2 cases generally satisfied. The subjective satisfaction of the patients in the observation group was better than that of the control group (Z=–4.381, P<0.001). ④ Postoperative follow-up: no recurrence and death occurred in both of 2 groups, but 2 cases occurred metastasis in the control group and 1 case in the observation group. The contrast difference in the incidence of metastasis was not statistically significant (χ2=0.342, P=0.559). Conclusion During breast conserving surgery, the use of surrounding tissue flap to repair residual cavity, compared with traditional breast conserving surgery without tissue flap repairment, does not increase postoperative complications, recurrence, and metastasis, and it has good cosmetic effect after breast surgery, as well as the patients’ subjective satisfaction is good.