Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are the important causes that affect the perioperative rehabilitation and prognosis of surgical patients. Increasing evidence suggests that reduction of PPCs can be accomplished by using lung‑protective ventilation strategies intraoperatively. In 2019, international expert panel‑based consensus recommendations on lung‑protective ventilation for the surgical patient were released, with twenty‑two recommendations and four statements. In the current review, the key content of the consensus recommendations will be interpreted, so as to update ventilation strategies during surgery. A dedicated score should be used for preoperative pulmonary risk evaluation, and an individualised mechanical ventilation may improve the mechanics of breathing and respiratory function, and prevent PPCs. The ventilator should initially be set to a tidal volume of 6‒8 ml/kg (predicted body weight) and the positive end‑expiratory pressure should be at least 5 cmH2O (1 cmH2O=0.098 kPa). When lung recruitment manoeuvres are performed, the lowest effective pressure and shortest effective time or fewest number of breaths should be used. Further clinical studies are warranted to further confirm the effects of lung‑protective ventilation strategies on patient‑centered outcomes.