Preoperative anxiety in the paediatric population in a tertiary hospital: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Aim: To analyse preoperative paediatric anxiety in a tertiary hospital and influencing factors.

Design and methods: This study was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study. One hundred patients between two and 12 years old who underwent elective surgical intervention were included. All patients received oral or written information about the anaesthetic-surgical process and waited in a playroom before surgery. Preoperative paediatric anxiety was assessed using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale and its short form. Collaboration during anaesthesia induction was evaluated using the Induction Compliance Checklist and postoperative pain evaluated using Wong-Baker Scale. We performed a descriptive and comparative analysis of the results overall.

Results: We found a high incidence of preoperative anxiety, especially during anaesthetic induction. Children aged two to five years, female sex and otorhinolaryngology surgery were associated with a higher incidence of preoperative anxiety.

Conclusions: Providing oral and written information and waiting in the playing room before surgery are insufficient measures to prevent preoperative paediatric anxiety.