Objective To evaluate the effects of a preoperative pain education program on patients’ knowledge of postoperative pain management, measures taken for such pain management and the actual postoperative pain. Methods A total of 84 patients undergoing abdominal surgery were non-randomly divided into two groups, 42 in each group. Patients in group A received routine preoperative care and 30 minutes of education about pain management, while patients in group B received routine preoperative care only. All patients completed the Postoperative Pain Management Questionnaire on the second postoperative day. Results Patients in group A achieved higher scores for their knowledge about postoperative pain management than those in group B (Plt;0.05). More patients in group A took non-medical pain relief methods after surgery (Plt;0.05); and patients in group A were able to use the PCA pump more correctly than those in group B (Plt;0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the frequency of asking for analgesics or their pain score when they requested analgesics (Pgt;0.05). The average score for postoperative pain was lower for group A compared to group B (Plt;0.05). Conclusions A program of preoperative pain education can improve patients’ knowledge of postoperative pain management and encourage them to participate actively in such pain management, so as to further relieve the postoperative pain.