Objective To investigate the effects of ACE-Star model on functional recovery of affected limb in breast cancer patients with modified radical mastectomy. Methods A total of 120 patients with breast cancer were recruited from the department of general surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital between June 2014 and August 2015.Control group included 58 cases from June 2014 to January 2015 and experimental group included 62 cases from February 2015 to August 2015. The patients in experimental group were given ACE-Star evidence-based nursing, and patients in control group received routine nursing. The incidence of limb swelling at the 3rd day of post-operation, the wound effusion, bleeding and wound dehiscence within 14 days of post-operation, and the functional recovery of affected limb at the 4th week of post-operation were compared between two groups. Results Both groups had limb swelling, wound effusion and bleeding to some extent, but the incidence was significantly lower in experimental group comparing with control group (P 0.05). The recovery of limb function in experimental group was better than control group at the 4th week of post-operation (P<0.05). Conclusions The application of ACE-Star evidence-based nursing in breast cancer patients with modified radical mastectomy can effectively reduce the incidence of limb swelling, wound effusion, bleeding and dehiscence, and significantly improve the functional recovery of affected limb. Key words: ACE-Star evidence-based nursing; Modified radical mastectomy; Functional exercise; Complication