Trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) is a well-established brain stem reflex that manifests as sudden cardiac perturbations, including bradycardia, arterial hypotension, asystole, apnea, and gastric hypermobility by surgical stimulation. The intense episode of the TCR is life-threatening. It has been widely concerned by anesthesiologists because of the great amount of surgeries could be involved in TCR and the high incidence of TCR. This review summarized the definition, pathological mechanisms, classification, incidences and its correlation with anesthesia, prevention, treatment and prognosis of the TCR so as to provide a reference for anesthesiologists to recognize and manage the TCR in time during general anesthesia.