【Abstract】Background Postoperative pain is a nociceptive-based acute pain.Dexmedetomidine can reduce analgesic drugs consumption and reduce the role of side effects,as alpha-2 agonist.Objective The aim of this review was to outline the advances of its use in postoperative analgesia and provide practical guidance for postoperative analgesia.Content We reviewed systemic uses in postoperative analgesia,as adjunct to pharmacological properties, analgesic mechanisms, various delivery methods and side effects of dexmedetomidine.Trend The application of dexmedetomidine in analgesia is quite promising,but its security also need more research.