Background Acupuncture has the unique theoretical foundation.The acupuncture applied in anesthesiaexperienced from acupuncture for anesthesia,and acupuncture assisted anesthesia,and finally built up the new mode of "preoperative induction-perioperative anesthesia-postoperative analgesia",which is also the turning point of the development of acupuncture anesthesia.Objective In this paper,the basic principle,the process of development and the latest clinical progress of acupuncture applied in modern anesthesia are reviewed,which may provide the reference for acupuncture assisted anesthesia in clinical.Content We reviewed rudiment of acupuncture,the characteristics of the modem anesthesia,the development characteristics,rationale and specific application method of acupuncture in modern anesthesia.Trend In clinical operation,acupuncture assisted anesthesia will be widely recognized.