Objective To explore the application and effect of critical node control theory in preoperative preparation of gynecological patients undergoing elective surgery.Methods A total of 110 patients with elective surgery from May to August 2022 were selected as the observation group,and 110 patients with elective surgery from January to April 2022 were selected as the control group.The management strategy based on node control theory was adopted in the observation group and the conventional management strategy was adopted in the control group.The clinical effect of the two groups was compared.Results The knowledge and practice of preoperative preparation of nurses in ward were improved.The preoperative preparation score of patients in observation group was higher than that in control group,and the incidence of defect and delay of operation was lower than that in control group.The satisfaction of patients and surgeons was higher than that of control group,and the difference was statistically significant(p<0.001or p<0.05).Conclusion The use of critical node control in the preoperative preparation of patients undergoing elective surgery in gynecological wards can effectively improve the knowledge of nurses in the preoperative preparation,reduce the rate of preoperative preparation defects and operation delays,and improve the satisfaction of patients and doctors with the nursing work.