Perioperative patient management. Evaluation of subjective stress and demands of patients undergoing elective gynaecological surgery

BACKGROUND: The aim of this investigation was to assess the extent of stress and demands in patients during preparation for general anesthesia for elective surgical procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 52 female patients scheduled for elective gynecological surgery under general anesthesia were included in this prospective study. The extent and time course of actual demands describing perceived emotional stress was assessed at close intervals using the German version of the Questionnaire for Actual Demands (KAB). Pre-operative and postoperative anxiety was assessed using part one of Spielberger's state-trait-anxiety inventory (STAI-X1). This was compared to hemodynamic (heart rate und blood pressure) and endocrinal stress parameters [cortisol concentration in serum and saliva, prolactin and dehydroepiandrosteronesulfate (DHEA-S) in serum]. Postoperatively, all patients were asked to rate the quality of care during preparation for general anesthesia. RESULTS: The extent of patients' demands and stress during preparation for general anesthesia could be quantified by the short questionnaire for the actual demands (KAB). So-called objective stress parameters like hemodynamic and endocrinal data alone did not correlate with perceived stress. However, the subjective information correlated with the nature of the underlying diagnosis. The postoperative assessment of quality of care during preparation for general anesthesia did not correlate with the course of actual demands and stress. CONCLUSION: In future studies assessing the perioperative management of patients and quality of care, standardized testing questionnaires should be preferred, instead of vegetative parameters alone, to reliably evaluate perioperative demands and stress in surgical patients.