Fears and perceptions associated with regional anesthesia: A study from a tertiary care hospital in South India

Abstract

Aims:To assess the patients’ fears and their perception about regional anesthesia and to study the correlation between fears and perception and demographic profile.Design:A prospective cross-sectional survey on 150 patients scheduled for surgery under regional anesthesia (RA).Materials and Methods:The structured questionnaires composed of patients’ demographic data and questions regarding patients’ fears about RA. Questionnaires along with consent forms were sequentially distributed to patients. American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Classes I and II patients aged between 18 and 80 years scheduled for surgery under RA at the preanesthesia clinics were included in the study.Statistical Analysis:Statistical analysis was done by calculating percentages using Chi-square test.Results:One hundred and fifty participants were studied, and their responses were analyzed. Overall, 75.3% (n = 113) patients had preoperative fear. Fear of pain during surgery, i.e., 49.3% (n = 56) and fear of needles 48.7% (n = 55) were the most common fears that were observed in the study population. Patients had less fear regarding nausea, vomiting, and headache. Patients’ demographic details did not have a significant correlation with their fears except for gender, with women being more afraid (86.3% vs. 67.7% of men, P = 0.01). Six patients (4%) revealed dissatisfaction and 10 patients were neutral with RA. Ten patients (6.7%) opted for GA in the future and one patient opted for RA with sedation.Conclusion:There is a significant prevalence of fear for RA and its procedures which can affect the patients’ decision and postoperative anxiety. The study replicated the high prevalence of anxiety and fear and has clinical implication of improving the education and specifically targeting the fears and anxiety to help the patients’ better cope during and after the surgical procedure.

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

“…In many studies, the rates of patient satisfaction with spinal anesthesia are reported to be high. In the same studies, the reasons behind patient dissatisfaction are listed as the excessively invasive nature of the intervention, lithotomy, being awake, and the discomfort caused by the operating room conditions (Bheemanna et al, ; Choi, In, & Shin, ).…”

“…In addition, the conscious state of patients undergoing spinal anesthesia may increase their level of anxiety, making them feel even more vulnerable and fragile (Karlsson, Ekebergh, Mauléon, & Almerud Österberg, ; Kent et al, ). Such anxiety may be further intensified due to the application of an intravenous cannula, anesthetic injection into the spine, being able to witness the operation, and feeling pain (Bheemanna, Channaiah, Gowda, Shanmugham, & Chanappa, ). The operating room environment also causes fear and anxiety in patients (Dolgun & Candan Dönmez, ).…”

Untitled

“…It is also difficult for them to differentiate the risk and benefits of anesthesia type. [11][12][13][14] Different factors influence the attitude of parturients towards anesthesia techniques for cesarean section. Nausea and vomiting (27%), fear of pain(34%), and fear of needle puncture (15%) were the most important predictors of attitude of parturients towards spinal anesthesia.…”

Comparison of Patient Satisfaction between Brachial Plexus Block (Axillary Approach) and General Anesthesia for Surgical Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures: A Historical Cohort Study

“…Thus, a simple comparison between NB and GA for distal radius fixation has not been performed to date. Patients who preferred GA over regional anesthesia or those scheduled to undergo regional anesthesia expressed more fear of needle puncture [5] [6]. Rundgren et al and Galos et al suggested that patients undergoing distal radius fracture surgery under NB complained more frequently of delayed postoperative pain [3] [4].…”