Objective To explore the role of strategy of conservative fluid management combining with lung-protective ventilation in treating acute lung injury. Methods 40 cases with final diagnosis of acute lung injury were selected and randomly divided into experimental group(22cases) and control group(18cases). Between two groups,on the basis of lung-protective ventilation,therapy policy of conservative fluid management was carried out in experimental group, and strategy with a liberal fluid management was taken in the other group. Hie duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care together with the incidence rate of nonpulmonary complications( congestive heart failure,renal failure and liver failure) were compared between both groups. Results When compared with the control group,the experimental group had the shorter duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care( P < 0.05 ). And the incidence rate of nonpulmonary complications were similar in both groups. Conclusion Strategy of conservative fluid management combining with lung-protective ventilation could shortened the duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care for patients with acute lung injury without increasing the incidence rate of nonpulmonary complications, which was an effective and safe treatment and deserved consulting in clinical work.