Background: Postoperative pain remains a significant challenge for all anesthesiologists. Opioids are the mainstay for postoperative pain control. However, opioid analgesics are associated with undesirable side effects which can lead to delayed postoperative recovery. Multimodal approaches and adjunct therapies are therefore recommended to postoperative pain management by reducing opioid consumption and opioid-related side effects. Studies have shown that perioperative intravenous infusion lidocaine is a useful adjunct for postoperative pain management. It could provide significant pain relief, reduce opioid consumption and promote faster return of bowel function. Objective: the aim of this review was to discuss analgesic effects of intravenous lidocaine for postoperative pain management. Content: the issue was discussed through the following aspects: analgesic mechanism, pharmacokinetics, infusion strategy and clinical effects. Trend: intravenous lidocaine may be a useful adjunct for postoperative pain control especially after abdominal surgery. Further large, well-designed studies are required to confirm those findings and to answer questions regarding the analgesic effect for other types of surgery and the optimal strategy of intravenous lidocaine.