The Effect of Preoperative Education on Postoperative Pain and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

Abstract

Background: One of the most common urologic diseases is renal and urinary tract stone. Patients experience severe pain after lithotripsy operation; one cause maybe the limited knowledge about the procedures. Due to important and considerable application of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedure, we decided to evaluate the effect of preoperative education on postoperative pain and anxiety in these patients. Methods: This clinical trial study included 130 patients who underwent the percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Nephrolithiasis was confirmed via spiral computed tomography (CT) scan in them. Patients divided randomly into two groups. This study followed with two parallel groups of equal size, and the effect of preoperative education on postoperative pain and anxiety evaluated by means of visual analog scale (VAS) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), respectively. Postoperative anxiety and pain intensity were compared using independent t test. Findings: The mean anxiety level was 34.89 ± 4.84 and 22.98 ± 2.37 in control and case groups, respectively (P < 0.050). In addition, the mean pain intensity level was 74.44 ± 26.74 and 34.18 ± 8.17 in control and case groups, respectively (P < 0.050). Conclusion: In our study, postoperative stress and pain intensity after percutaneous nephrolithotomy were significantly less in experimental group. Due to less costs of preoperative educations and potential physiological and psychological effects, it is acceptable for patients to get information before surgery.

Keywords

• Kidney stones
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
• Preoperative care