Preparing a patient for surgery: consent information and emotional support.

A summary of the relevant literature on sociopsychological and legal aspects of gynecologic surgery is presented. It is meant to provide practial advice for clinical management. Occasionally the surgeon will be faced with a conflict between the pathophysiological psychological and legal considerations for surgery. Careful weighing of the various indications and contraindications for surgery and early acquisition of legal and psychiatric consultation by the gynecologic surgeon can yield favorable results with patients. Surgery as stress high-risk patients untoward psychological sequelae to surgery and management considerations are discussed. It is important that the surgeon recognized the importance of a secure and positive doctor-patient relationship and of preoperative hope. The patient should be appraised of available options and should have a sense of participation in the decision-making to provide a truly informed consent and to achieve successful postoperative results. The provision of patient education surgical preparation and emotional support may yield rewarding results.