Background Perioperative pulmonary complications severely affects the prognosis of liver transplantation patients, because of its high incidence and complicated mechanism. Objective This article analyzed the risk factors of perioperative pulmonary complications in liver transplantation and introduced some preventive strategies to protect the pulmonary function. Content The mechanism of postoperative acute lung injury, the relationships among preoperative pathophysiologic factors, anaesthesia factors, non-specific factors and pulmonary complications, as well as the perioperative pulmonary function protecting strategy were discussed. Trend Further research of mechanism and risk factor, combining with relevant strategies of prevention could reduce the incidence of pulmonary complications during the perioperative period of liver transplantation.