This paper presents a literature review on mechanisms and models for the breakage of bubbles and drops (fluid particles) in turbulent dispersions. For the mechanisms, four categories are summarized, namely, turbulence fluctuation, viscous shear stress, shearing-off process and interfacial instability. The models for breakup frequency and daughter size distribution available in literature are reviewed thoroughly. The development and limitation of the existing models are studied and possible improvements are proposed. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.