Abstract: Objective:To investigate the effects of Orem self-care theory in perioperative nursing of patients with lung cancer.Methods:One hundred and thirty perioperative patients with lung cancer were randomly divided into the observation group and control group according to the random number table method(65 cases each group).The control group and observation group were nursed with the conventional method and Orem self-care theory,respectively.The perioperative recovery between two groups were compared.Results:The postoperative expectoration time,ambulation time and hospitalization time in observation group were significantly shorter than those in control group(P<0.01).The differences of the incidence of complication and overall nursing satisfaction between groups were not statistically significant(P >0.05).The percentage rates of the scores of SAS and SDS less than 50 in observation group after 3 and 10 days of operation were higher than those in control group(P<0.05).Conclusions:The application of Orem self-care theory in perioperative patients with lung cancer can facilitate to improve the self-care ability and promote rehabilitation of patients.