Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a novel non-invasive nerve regulation technique that uses a weak electric current on the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. Signals are fed back to the vagus nucleus and its projection nuclei and the cerebral cortex to regulate the function and behavior of the corresponding brain regions. Compared with traditional vagus nerve stimulation, taVNS has the advantages of non-invasive, safe and portable, and has been used in the treatment of epilepsy, depression, stroke, etc., but there are few studies on its application in perioperative period. This article mainly discusses the research status and development trend of taVNS in perioperative medicine from the aspects of overview of vagus nervous system, treatment mechanism and perioperative application status and prospect, so as to provide new ideas for perioperative application of taVNS.