Retrospective Evaluation of Anesthesia by Patients .

Lee,  Sang Hoon; Lee,  Dong Ki

doi:1973.6.1.17

Korean Journal of Anesthesiology 1973;6(1):17-22.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1973.6.1.17

Sang Hoon Lee, Dong Ki Lee

Department of Anesthesiology, Seoul Red Cross Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

The authors have analyzed the evaluations of anesthesia by 52 postoperative patients who were older than 15 years of age, in physical status 1 or 2, and who underwent elective surgery with endotracheal ether or halothane anesthesia in semi-closed circle absorption system. The results are as follows. 1) It is emphasized that preanesthetic visit by the anesthesiologists is important to allay apprehension and fear prior to surgery, especially more to female patients who were found more apprehensive and fearful than the male. 2) It is surprising to know that the majority (80 per cent) of the patients had already possessed considerable knowledge of anesthesia from the experiences of themselves or others prior to surgery. 3) More than half the patients were sleepless the night before operation because of the pain associated with the disease per se or in fear of imaginatively poor postoperative prognosis. 4) Many patients were apprehensive upon arrival at the operating room, hence it might be necessary to use more heavy premedioation. 5) Most patients were satisfied with Pentothal induction of anesthesia. They wished, however, to hear prospective soothing words of anesthesiologists shortly before induction. 6) More than two-third the patients complained of sore throat after anesthesia. This might be minimized by using propersized and sterile endotracheal tube and by avoiding overinflation of cuff. 7) Many patients complained of intolerable operative pain in the recovery room. It is advised to prescribe analgesics or administer nerve blocks more freely during recovery. 8) All patients were satisfied with and prefered general anesthesia.