Preoperative Anxiety in Patients Scheduled for Minimally Invasive Abdominal Surgery: Institutional Experience

Abstract

Introduction: Preoperative anxiety is an unpleasant emotional state, characterized by feelings of tension, nervousness, fear, and intensified activation of the autonomic nervous system. According to the WHO, more than 4 million people undergo surgery annually in the world, and in about 50 to 75% of them, they develop some degree of anxiety during the course of the preoperative period. Objective: To analyze preoperative anxiety levels through the application of the Amsterdam Preoperative and Information Anxiety Scale (APAIS) in patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a third-level health institution of complexity in the department of Huila during the first half of 2023. Methodology: Descriptive-cross-sectional study, the APAIS scale will be applied. The population will be patients over 18 years of age scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The data obtained will be coded and tabulated in the SPSS statistical program. Results: Preoperative anxiety mostly affects mature adult women, Catholic and married. In addition, those who have had previous surgeries tend to experience less anxiety before the procedure, additionally it is observed that patients with a lower level of education tend to show lower levels of preoperative anxiety, however, despite this, all patients express a strong desire to receive more information about the procedure, which highlights the importance of clear and complete communication to help reduce anxiety before surgery. Conclusions: It is recommended to provide detailed information and to carry out early and individualized interventions to reduce preoperative anxiety and the desire for information. New research approaches may evaluate the reduction of anxiety in the face of different interventions.