Twenty-three per cent felt anxious on arrival at the operating theatre, 35% were anxious at induction of anaesthesia, while 12% felt anxious after induction. At start of surgery 15% experienced anxiety and during surgery 9% were anxious. Continuous information reduced the experience of anxiety in 49% of the patients and the opportunity to ask questions during the intraoperative period reduced anxiety in 55%. The sight of technical equipment and surgical instruments was reported to increase anxiety in 9% and 6% of the sample, respectively. Patients with higher levels of general anxiety and depression also experienced significantly higher levels of anxiety in the intraoperative period.
Anxiety in the operating theatre: A study of frequency and environmental impact in patients having local, plexus or regional anaesthesia. Available from: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/26653170_Anxiety_in_the_operating_theatre_A_study_of_frequency_and_environmental_impact_in_patients_having_local_plexus_or_regional_anaesthesia [accessed Oct 17, 2015].