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Psychologic preparation program for children undergoing acute appendectomy
M Edwinson1, E Arnbjörnsson, R Ekman
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Lund, Sweden.
Insights
Providing specific pre-operative information significantly reduced anxiety in children undergoing emergency surgery. This psychological preparation program demonstrated a positive impact on patient well-being during a stressful event.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Surgical Patient Care
- Anxiety Reduction Strategies
Background:
- Emergency surgery in children can induce significant psychological distress.
- Anxiety in pediatric surgical patients can negatively impact recovery.
- Effective psychological preparation is crucial for managing pre-operative anxiety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of a specific psychologic preparation program for children facing emergency surgery.
- To determine if detailed pre-operative information reduces anxiety compared to general information.
- To evaluate the impact of psychological preparation on physiological stress markers.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 24 pediatric patients and their parents undergoing emergency surgery.
- Utilized Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pulse rate, and blood pressure measurements to assess anxiety.
- Measured stress hormone levels (catecholamines, beta-endorphins) and administered parental VAS.
- Analyzed data for within-group and between-group differences across clinical units.
Main Results:
- Children receiving specific pre-operative information exhibited significantly lower anxiety levels compared to those receiving general information.
- No substantial differences were observed in catecholamine and beta-endorphin levels between the groups.
- Parental anxiety levels were also monitored using the Visual Analogue Scale.
Conclusions:
- Specific psychologic preparation is an effective method for reducing pre-operative anxiety in children undergoing emergency surgery.
- While psychological preparation impacts anxiety, immediate physiological stress markers may not show significant group differences.
- Further research could explore long-term effects and refine interventions for pediatric surgical anxiety.
Abstract:
A psychologic preparation program was developed for use prior to emergency surgery in children. The purpose of this study was to determine whether specific information prior to an emergency operation would reduce anxiety. The effect of the preparation program was evaluated with clinical and laboratory procedures. One group of children who received only general verbal information was compared with another group who received specific information. The subjects were 24 patients and their parents. The children were studied at four different clinical units prior to operation, using the Visual Analogue Scale and pulse rate and blood pressure measurements. Stress hormone levels were measured at three of these clinical units. Visual Analogue Scales were administered to parents three times prior to the child's operation. The results were analyzed for within-group differences from one clinical unit to the next and for between-group differences at the various clinical units. The results indicated less anxiety in the children who received specific information. Catecholamine and beta-endorphin measurements were not greatly different between the groups.