Objective To investigate the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation intervention in patients with resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Methods A total of 100 patients with resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma were randomly divided into intervention group and control group, with 50 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing measures of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), and the intervention group received pulmonary rehabilitation intervention on the basis of the control group. The intervention effect was compared between the two groups.

Results There were significant differences in postoperative pulmonary function, 6-minute walking distance, modified British medical research council (mMRC) score and the duration of 5 times of sit-up test between the intervention group and the control group(P < 0.05); the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, postoperative hospital stay and postoperative hospitalization costs in the intervention group were significantly lower or shorter than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Pulmonary rehabilitation intervention for patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma surgery can effectively improve lung function, enhance exercise endurance, reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, and promote rapid postoperative rehabilitation.