The effect of watching live arthroscopic views on postoperative anxiety of patients

Abstract

Surgery is a stressful experience. Many minor interventions have been shown to cause considerable anxiety in patients, but whether arthroscopy leads to such anxiety is not well-known. Methods for lowering perioperative anxiety have been sought and listening to music or watching a movie have been recommended. The method of permitting patients to watch their own endoscopy has been studied infrequently. Our aim in this study was to find out the effect of watching simultaneous arthroscopic views on postoperative anxiety. A total of 63 patients were randomly divided into two groups: those watching their own arthroscopy formed group W, while patients that were only verbally informed formed group NW. The mean age of patients in both groups were 33 and 34, respectively. Meniscal surgery was the most commonly performed procedure (49/63 patients). The patients filled in state scale of State-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) forms and the study questionnaire (SQ) prepared for this study, just before and after the arthroscopy. Group W had significantly lower postoperative scores of STAI-S, whole questionnaire (Q-score) and all but one of individual statements in SQ. Having a previous operation history did not affect STAI scores. Age and level of education was not correlated with any of the studied parameters either. The ratio of patients that were pleased with the arthroscopy experience in group W and NW were 94 and 63%, respectively. Watching live arthroscopic views has led to a significant decrease in postoperative anxiety and worries about the surgery and the postoperative period, while increasing overall understanding and satisfaction of the patient.

Anesthesiologist's role in relieving patient's anxiety

“…[22] Different methods have been used to reduce patient's anxiety such as giving sedatives or advising patients to listen to music of their preferences either preoperatively or during the operation. However, our study devised the method of showing video clipping/images[2324] of various patients going to surgery from PAC room to operation table showing the particular clipping of a specific operation to the patient undergoing some procedure, using questionnaire method devised by the HAM-A scale. By showing video clippings/images, our aim was to tell patient what anesthetic procedure he/she will have to go through, its effects and side effects so that patient should have an idea what is going to happen to him/her at least without increasing his/her anxiety and dispelling misconceptions associated with it.…”

Does spinal anesthesia increase the pain and anxiety after total knee arthroplasty? a randomized prospective study

“…Luck et al [15] recommended giving video supported information to patients before the procedure. Bayar et al [6] had their patients watch the surgery from a monitor and reported good results. Bayar et al [6] also reported that reducing the anxiety of patients increased the postoperative satisfaction of the patient about the sense of being cured.…”

“…Bayar et al [6] had their patients watch the surgery from a monitor and reported good results. Bayar et al [6] also reported that reducing the anxiety of patients increased the postoperative satisfaction of the patient about the sense of being cured. However, Kesari et al [7] reported that watching their own cystoscopy made no significant difference in patients' anxiety.…”

“…To reduce patients' perioperative anxiety, listening to music [4] or watching a movie/video of the operation on a monitor have been proposed by various researchers although some researchers claim that none of these have any effects on reducing anxiety. [5][6][7][8] It is also known that anxiety affects the detection of pain. [9] Reducing patients' anxiety reduces the amount of drugs used during anesthesia [10] and increases patient satisfaction in the postoperative period.…”

“…[9] Reducing patients' anxiety reduces the amount of drugs used during anesthesia [10] and increases patient satisfaction in the postoperative period. [6] During total knee arthroplasty, noisy drilling cutting devices are used. Patients with spinal anesthesia are exposed to that sound and to contact of the devices without any pain during the operation.…”