Background A prolonged period of one-lung ventilation (OLV) is required during thoracic surgery which may activate cytokine release and cause lung inflammatory response. Objective This review will focus on recent advances in understanding OLV-induced cytokine release,protective ventilatory strategies and resolution of inflammation during OLV. Content During OLV,excessive mechanical stretch stimulation which acts on the mechanoreceptors in pulmonary alveoli cell membrane may activate various intracellular signalling pathway which causes increased expression of various proinflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators.Protective vcntilatory strategies with low tidal volume,low airway pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) have been shown to reduce pulmonary and systemic cytokine releases.The application of inhalational anesthetics,local anesthetics,corticosteroids and other drugs can also significantly reduce the release of inflammatory cytokines and improve postoperative lung injury. Trend The mechanisms of resolution of endogenous inflammation,gene and targeted biological therapy have become new hot spot in the recent inflammation study.