Burst suppression (BS) is a sign of severe inhibition of electrical activity in the cerebral cortex. Anesthetic is a common reason of inducing BS. Hitherto, the mechanism underlying BS is unclear. The dose of anesthetic alone or in combination inducing BS is an important research target. This review presents current research advances of BS home and abroad, including the relationship between anesthetics and BS, the definition, judgment criteria and prognosis of BS. In the future, burst suppression ratio (BSR) can be used as a routine monitoring index for clinical anesthesia, making it easier for anesthesiologists to adjust the depth of anesthesia.