Objective To explore the application effect of three-dimensional visualization teaching in resident training in pancreatic surgery. Methods A total of 68 trainees for standardized resident training in pancreatic surgery of our hospital were selected from January 2016 to June 2018. The traditional teaching method is used in the control group, while the three-dimensional visualization technology is used in the observation group on the basis of traditional teaching methods. Results There was no significant difference in the scores of basic theoretical knowledge examination, but the results of clinical knowledge and the excellent rate of imaging examination in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group [(80.4±10.0) vs (74.6±10.7), 76.5% vs 52.9%], the difference was all statistically significant (all P<0.05). The results of questionnaire survey showed that the satisfaction of the students in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (94.1% vs 76.5%, P<0.05).Conclusions The application of three-dimensional visualization technology is helpful to iprove clinical examination results, imaging examination results and overall satisfaction.