The postoperative pain might arise from noxious stimuli brought by damage to normal tissue or neuropathic pain caused by nerve injury. Four important predictive factors for the intensity of postsurgical pain are identified: preexisting pain, anxiety, age and type of surgery. The clinical features of post-surgical neuropathic pain present spontaneous resting and movement provoked pain at the site of surgery and in the surrounding tissues. Recently it is emphasized on the development of neuropathic pain acutely after surgery. The diagnostic work-up for post-surgical neuropathic pain should comprise comprehensive medical history emphasizing the pain and its association with recent or remote surgery, physical examination, and neurological examinations. Acute and chronic post-surgical neuropathic pain remains difficult to cope with after abdominal surgery. Early identification of the predictive factors, increasing awareness during and after abdominal surgery provide more efficacious pain management.