The Relationship Between Anxiety and Quality of Recovery in Hepatobiliary Surgery Patients.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between preoperative and postoperative anxiety and the postoperative quality of recovery in hepatobiliary surgery patients.

Design: This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study.

Methods: In total, 133 hepatobiliary surgery patients admitted for surgery at a university hospital between January and September of 2023 comprised the sample of this study. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, the Quality of Recovery-40 Scale (QoR-40), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)-State and Trait Anxiety Scale.

Findings: The mean STAI-Trait Anxiety score was 38.85 ± 8.60, the mean STAI-State Anxiety score was 38.12 ± 11.23 preoperatively and 32.54 ± 7.82 postoperatively. The total postoperative QoR-40 score was 178.63 ± 16.79. Anxiety level and quality of recovery showed a negative correlation. The length of hospital stay, anxiety level, and anesthesia duration all showed a significant positive correlation; the quality of recovery showed a substantial negative correlation. We found that anxiety levels were higher in patients who were female, had lower levels of education, underwent major surgery, and underwent open surgery.

Conclusions: Hepatobiliary surgery patients had low anxiety levels, good postoperative physical and emotional well-being, and that patients with low anxiety levels had better quality of recovery.