Objective To evaluate the application of adaptive support ventilation (ASV) in patients during recovery from general anesthesia. Methods Through convenience sampling method, 120 patients with endotracheal tube who were transferred to the post‑anesthesia care unit (PACU) after surgery under general anesthesia were selected. According to the random number table method, they were divided into two groups (n=60): a control group and an experimental group. The control group underwent volume control‑synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (VC‑SIMV), while the experimental group was assigned to ASV. Both groups were compared for the proportion of man‑machine confrontation, the use of sedative agents during recovery, the percentage of manual adjustment of ventilator parameters, the PACU recovery time and the incidence of hypoxemia after extubation. Results Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed decreases in the proportion of man‑machine confrontation, the use rate of sedative agents during recovery, and the percentage of manual adjustment of ventilator parameters (P<0.05), as well as reduction in the PACU recovery time (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of hypoxemia between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Compared with traditional VC‑SIMV mode, application of ASV in PACU patients with endotracheal tube during recovery from general anesthesia can provide better man‑machine coordination, simplify ventilation management, and shorten recovery time.