EFFECTS OF PREOPERATIVE ANXIETY ON ANAESTHESIA AND RECOVERY OUTCOMES IN LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a widely practiced minimally invasive surgical procedure for gallbladder disease, associated with lower morbidity and faster recovery. Despite its routine nature, preoperative anxiety remains a significant concern, potentially affecting intraoperative physiological parameters and postoperative outcomes. Anxiety-related alterations in cardiovascular responses can complicate anesthesia management and delay recovery, yet psychological factors are often overlooked in perioperative care.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of preoperative anxiety on anesthesia requirements, intraoperative hemodynamic responses, and postoperative recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted at the surgical departments of tertiary care hospitals over a four-month period. Ninety-eight adult patients (55 females, 43 males) aged 25–65 years scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled after informed consent. Anxiety was assessed using standardized scales and categorized into high, moderate, and low groups. Physiological variables including heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and oxygen saturation were recorded. Postoperative outcomes, including complications, were documented and analyzed using ANOVA and chi-square tests.

Results: The mean heart rate was 88.74 ± 11.78 bpm, mean systolic BP 116.55 ± 11.82 mmHg, diastolic BP 80.63 ± 6.87 mmHg, and MAP 92.34 ± 7.95 mmHg. Anxiety levels were high in 30.6%, moderate in 33.7%, and low in 35.7% of patients. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in heart rate, blood pressure, and MAP were found across anxiety groups. Postoperative complications, especially psychological symptoms like insomnia and mood disturbances, were more frequent in the high-anxiety group.

Conclusion: Preoperative anxiety significantly influences hemodynamic stability and postoperative recovery. Routine psychological screening and anxiety management should be integrated into surgical protocols to enhance overall patient outcomes.