In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent open operation for acute aortic dissection (AAD), and assessed the clinical superiority of postoperative respiratory management with high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in comparison with conventional management with the face mask. PaO2/FiO2 before tracheal extubation in the HFNC group (n = 7) was 205, and which was lower than that in the conventional management group (n = 9). The HFNC was not inferior to the conventional face mask for improvements in oxygenation, stay lengths in the surgical intensive care unit, and frequencies of adverse events. In conclusion, we suggested that the HFNC could be an option for postoperative respiratory management of AAD.