Abstract:Mu opioid receptor agonists have been widely used in clinic for a long time, which have been the main analgesic drugs for many years, with more side effects affecting the analgesic effect. Nalbuphine is a major kappa opioid receptor agonists and a minor mu opioid receptor antagonists. To seek the clinical application and research of nalbuphine in orthopedic surgery anesthesia and the possible future directions, this paper has reviewed the pharmacological characteristics of nalbuphine, animal experiment, the use of drugs in pediatric and adult orthopedic surgery anesthesia. It has been proved that nalbuphine has reliable analgesic effect, fewer side effects and high safety. It will be predicted that nalbuphine can be used in various ways of analgesia and the dosage or mode of administration of nalbuphine need to be further studied.