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[Is psychoprophylaxis a valid approach for heart surgery in children?]

P Pereira Ruschel1, D Pierini Cidade, N S Daudt

  • 1Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul/Fundação Universitária de Cardiologia.

Insights

Psychological preparation significantly improved outcomes for children undergoing cardiac surgery. Prepared children showed better acceptance of procedures and coping mechanisms, leading to improved psychological adjustment post-surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
  • Psychological Interventions
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Cardiac surgery in children presents significant psychological challenges.
  • Effective interventions are needed to mitigate surgical trauma in pediatric patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To validate the hypothesis that psychological preparation enhances outcomes for children undergoing cardiac surgery.
  • To assess the impact of pre-operative psychological preparation on pediatric patients' post-operative adjustment.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 60 children (ages 3-10) undergoing heart surgery for congenital defects.
  • Patients were divided into experimental (psychologically prepared) and control groups.
  • Data collected via questionnaire on psychological and clinical aspects.

Main Results:

  • Statistically significant improvements observed in the prepared group for: peripheral vein puncture acceptance, calm awakening, physiotherapy cooperation, coping with parental absence, fluid restriction acceptance, and cooperation with stitch/pacemaker removal.
  • No significant differences in sedation needs, cooperation during extubation/examination, reintubation rates, or clinical complications.
  • Prepared group showed a trend towards fewer postoperative complications (20% vs. 27% in control).

Conclusions:

  • Adequate psychological preparation prior to congenital heart defect correction leads to better psychological outcomes.
  • Pre-operative psychological preparation positively impacts children's ability to cope with the trauma of cardiac surgery.
Abstract

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