ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Lung cancer is currently the leading malignant tumor in both domestic and foreign morbidity and mortality. Surgical treatment is the main treatment option for lung cancer. The aim of this study is to explore the effects of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) combined with respiratory function exercise combined with single-hole thoracoscopic surgery on lung cancer patients with postoperative pulmonary complications, postoperative pain, time to get out of bed, time to extubation and length of hospital stay. METHODS:A total of 240 patients who underwent endoscopic lung cancer surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University and the Yancheng First People's Hospital from October 2017 to October 2019 were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 60 patients in each group. Patients in group A underwent single-hole thoracoscopic surgery, and preoperatively performed ERAS concept education and respiratory function training; group B used conventional 3-hole thoracoscopic surgery, and performed ERAS concept education and respiratory function training before operation; group C used conventional 3-hole thoracoscopic operation surgery, routine hospitalization education and nursing guidance, routine respiratory function training, no preoperative ERAS concept education; group D used single-hole thoracoscopic surgery, routine hospitalization education and nursing guidance, routine respiratory function training, no preoperative ERAS concept mission. The number of postoperative pulmonary complications, postoperative pain, time to get out of bed, extubation time, and hospital stay were recorded in the four groups. RESULTS:Compared with the groups B, C, and D, the incidence of pulmonary complications was significantly reduced, and the time to get out of bed, extubation time, and hospital stay were significantly shortened in group A. Compared with groups B, C, the postoperative pain was significantly reduced in group A. Compared with group C, the pulmonary complications were significantly reduced, and the time to get out of bed, extubation time and hospital stay were significantly shortened in group B. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative pain between group A and group D, group B and group C (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:For patients with single-hole thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery, the ERAS concept guidance can effectively reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications and postoperative pain, shorten the time to get out of bed, the time to extubate, and the length of hospital stay.