A qualitative study of the operating room experience of patients who underwent surgery under spinal anesthesia: “It was like an adventure”

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the experiences of the people who underwent orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia and to report their feelings and thoughts. The study was carried out using a qualitative approach. Twenty‐one patients were interviewed who underwent orthopedic surgery on the first or second postoperative day. Content analysis was performed after the collection of raw data. NVIVO 12 Pro software was used for data analysis. The frequency count (f) and participant codes (P) were used for the presentation of the findings. The themes and frequency counts obtained by analyzing the interviews with the patients were as follows: “Time passed like watching a movie” (f = 213), “Like an adventure” (f = 587), and “See, feel, look” (f = 405). Five of 21 participants (23.8%) stated that they would not recommend spinal anesthesia. The findings generally indicated the anxiety caused by the unknown, fear in the preanesthetic period, operation experienced like an adventure, and a process generally completed with satisfaction.

Nursing Care during the Perioperative within the Surgical Context

“…(49) Care in this context should be centered on the person, seeing the human being as an independent person, with dignity and in need, emphasizes the individual will and abilities of the person. (50) Various studies describe the surgery staff as healers of the patient's anxiety during a surgical procedure (51)(52)(53)(54) by perceiving them as serious and competent, which generates trust and tranquility in patients. (54) The staff's attitude affects the patient's concerns and anxiety, intraoperative soothing properties took place when the staff had a positive and friendly attitude in dealing with the patient and among them.…”

“…Post-operative pain increases because anxiety creates diminished tolerance and pain threshold, which -in turnprolongs the patient's post-operatory recovery in hospital or other care center. Touch and contact have been shown to reduce anxiety (24,25,(54)(55)(56)(57) through massage, or by holding their hands, besides being described as anxiolytic, and diminishes systolic blood pressure. (52) Antistress balls also help, which can be squeezed in case of perceived concern or anxiety.…”

“…(51) Part of the patient's comfort in surgery is that of having a heating blanket; it contributes to feeling that the surgical team prioritizes the patient's physical comfort and the heat contributes to relaxation that relieves anxiety. (54) Sound distractions during surgery have been used and patients appreciate such positively; these relieve anxiety and aid in normal heart rate, (58,59) blood pressure, and respiratory frequency. (54,58,59) Patient's preparation in the surgical room.…”

“…(54) Sound distractions during surgery have been used and patients appreciate such positively; these relieve anxiety and aid in normal heart rate, (58,59) blood pressure, and respiratory frequency. (54,58,59) Patient's preparation in the surgical room. The surgical team: instrumentation, circulating staff and physicians, simultaneously, work on preparing the patient for the surgical event, again identifying the patient, confirming the surgery: patient, procedure and site of intervention; position in the surgical table, monitoring physiological constants: heart rate electrocardiographic record, non-invasive blood pressure, pulse oximetry, capnography continuously to spot disorders, bearing in mind that no monitoring apparatus substitutes clinical judgement.…”

Pasienters opplevelser og erfaringer med regional anestesi i den perioperative fasen

“…Til tross for at det finnes en rekke studier som belyser operasjonspasienters eng stelse i den perioperative fasen, så er det fremdeles behov for ytterligere forskning om temaet (4,6,9,11). Operasjonspasientene sin erfaring med regional anestesi i perioperativ fase kan gi profesjonene økt innsikt i hvordan en best mulig kan ivareta disse pasientene.…”