Abstract: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） affects nearly a quarter of the world's population. The use of NAFLD term has always been controversial due to the complex etiology and significant individual heterogeneity. Recently, the international experts reach a consensus on the official renaming of NAFLD as metabolic associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD）, and establish a new definition and diagnostic criteria. The surgeons paid little attention to MAFLD previously since medical treatment was the primary treatment. Surgical treatment is an important choice for MAFLD due to the rising incidence and the lack of effective treatment drugs. In order to strengthen the understanding of surgeons for MAFLD, the authors discuss the prevalent characteristics, pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies of MAFLD based on domestic and foreign literatures.