Pre-operative preparation: effects on immediate pre-operative behavior, post-operative behavior and recovery in children having same-day surgery.

This study explored whether preoperative preparation affects the immediate preoperative behavior, post-operative behavior, and recovery in children undergoing same-day surgery. An experimental design was utilized. Three hypotheses were tested: that children who receive pre-operative preparation will (1) display fewer intra-operative and post-operative complications; (2) use lesser amounts and less frequent administration of pain medications post-operatively; and (3) exhibit fewer behavioral problems during pre-, intra-, and post-operative periods than children who do not receive such preparation. Sixty children, ages 2-10 years, were observed at a community hospital's same-day surgery facility, with subjects randomly selected. Subjects were directly observed during the pre-, intra-, and immediate post-operative periods. Parents of each child completed a questionnaire within 7-10 days post-operatively, describing demographics, type of pre-operative preparation, and post-operative recovery and behavior. Subjects were retrospectively divided into groups according to their type of pre-operative preparation. Data were analyzed with multiple Pearson Correlation coefficients, ANOVA using General Linear Models, and Scheffe's test. There was only one significant difference: the group which played with hospital equipment showed less negative behavior changes at home (p less than .05).