Objective To explore the application value of failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) in the risk management of unplanned extubation after esophageal cancer surgery. Methods A total of 1 140 patients who underwent esophageal cancer surgery in our department from January 2015 to May 2017 were selected as a control group, including 948 males and 192 females with an average age of 64.45±4.53 years. FMEA was used to analyze the risk management process of unplanned extubation. The potential risk factors in each process were found by calculating the risk priority number (RPN) value, and the improvement plan was formulated for the key process with RPN>125 points. Then 1 117 patients who underwent esophageal cancer surgery from June 2017 to December 2019 were selected as a trial group, including 972 males and 145 females with an average age of 64.60±5.22 years, and the FMEA risk management mode was applied.Results The corrective measures were taken to optimize the high-risk process, and the RPN values of 9 high-risk processes were reduced to below 125 points after using FMEA risk management mode. The rate of unplanned extubation in the trial group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The application of FMEA in the risk management of unplanned extubation after esophageal cancer surgery can reduce the rate of unplanned extubation, improve the quality of nursing, and ensure the safety of patients.