Fatigue is a complex subjective feeling, excessive and persistent mental and physical weakness or tiredness. Perioperative fatigue is widespread, but its etiology is unknown, the mechanism is unclear, and the diagnostic criteria are not unified. This review summarizes the clinical research on its diagnosis, pathogenesis, related risk factors, prognosis, and intervention measures. The purpose is to strengthen the understanding of perioperative fatigue to provide a better perioperative rehabilitation scheme for patients and reduce the impact of fatigue on patients' prognosis and quality of life. The occurrence of perioperative fatigue may be related to physical and mental diseases, operation types and methods, anesthesia management, and drugs. The occurrence mechanism and effective control methods need a further large sample and multi‑center research.