Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated preoperative anxiety on the morning of surgery and whether or not different anxiety levels for different surgeries occurred in patients undergoing otorhinolaryngology surgeries.

METHODS: A total of 186 individuals including 162 patients and 24 controls were included in the study. The consecutive patients scheduled for surgery were requested to complete a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) form on the morning of surgery. The study population was divided into five groups according to the major headings of planned surgical procedure: (i) rhinology, (ii) otology, (iii) head and neck surgery, (iv) general otolaryngology, and (v) control group. Total anxiety scores were compared and each item of the STAI form was specifically analyzed.

RESULTS: According to the analysis of total scores from the STAI-State (S) and the STAI-Trait (T), there was no significant difference in the level of anxiety among the surgery groups. Additionally, we could not find any difference between any of the surgery groups and the control group. When the specific item analysis was performed, 13 (65%) of the total 20 items of the STAI-S form were significantly different among the groups, and patients who underwent head and neck surgery showed more preoperative anxiety than those undergoing other surgical interventions (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Different surgical procedures may cause different levels of anxiety. The clinical staff should consider the outcomes of this study during the preparation and management of patients undergoing otorhinolaryngological surgeries.