Memory is categorised into two principal categories: explicit (declarative) memory and implicit (non-declarative) memory. General anesthesia leads to a loss of consciousness and anterograde amnesia. Explicit memory (including semantic memory and episodic memory) is typically inhibited during general anesthsia, while implicit memory may remain. The olfactory system is closely interacted with the brain regions that are associated with memory and cognition, particularly with the limbic system. Olfactory dysfunction is proposed to be an early symptom in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. From the perspective of the anatomical and functional relation between olfaction and memory, we review the influence of anesthesia/surgery on olfactory memory and cognition, that may implicate the feasibility of olfactory assessment in predicting the alteration of postoperative memory/cognitive function, as well as the potential application of olfactory intervention to improve perioperative memory/cognition .