Eur J Pediatr Surg 2010; 20(6): 408-411
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1265172
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Use of a Preoperative Playroom to Prepare Children for Surgery

M. Hosseinpour1 , M. Memarzadeh2
  • 1Trauma Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences
  • 2Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan Medical University of Medical Sciences
Further Information

Publication History

received April 15, 2010

accepted after revision August 16, 2010

Publication Date:
05 November 2010 (online)

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a playroom next to the operating room to reduce preoperative anxiety in children.

Methods and Materials: In 2009, we designed a playroom in a preoperative waiting room in our hospital. The playroom had colored toys and cars appropriate for different ages and a TV and video to show cartoons. Patients were randomly assigned into a case or a control group. Control group patients were admitted to the preoperative waiting room 30 min prior to operation. Case group patients were admitted to the playroom for the same period of time. The anxiety levels of the children were compared using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (m-YPAS).

Results: In this study 200 children were evaluated (100 patients in the case group, 100 patients in the control group). There were 20 female and 80 male patients in the case group with a mean age of 4.33±1.5 years and 26 female and 74 male patients in the control group with a mean age of 3.87±1.2 years (p=NS). Inguinal herniorraphy was the most common procedure in both groups. Preoperative anxiety was significantly decreased for all categories of the anxiety score as assessed by m-YPAS questionnaire.

Conclusion: A preoperative playroom is a very effective method to reduce preoperative anxiety in children.

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Correspondence

Ass. Prof. Mehrdad Hosseinpour

Trauma Research Center

Kashan University of Medical

Sciences (KAUMS)

Kashan

Islamic Republic of Iran

Phone: +98 311 6255 368

Fax: +98 311 6684 510

Email: meh_hosseinpour@yahoo.com