Preoperative anxiety is a common component of the surgical experience, and increased levels of anxiety may alter a patient's surgical course and cause increased postoperative pain. A review of the literature was undertaken to evaluate the presence and significance of any correlation between preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain. Although inconsistency was found in the articles that were reviewed, most of the available evidence revealed a positive correlation between preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain. Further studies should be conducted to establish the correlation between preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain and to determine appropriate nursing interventions.