Impact of Preoperative Video-Based Education on Anxiety Levels in Patients with Renal Stones Scheduled for Flexible Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy: A Comparative Study Using APAIS and STAI.

BACKGROUND Anxiety prior to surgery can impact patient outcomes and satisfaction. In light of this, our study aimed to examine the effects of preoperative video-based information versus verbal information on anxiety levels among 60 patients with renal stones slated for flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Anxiety was measured using the Amsterdam Pre-Operative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 60 patients with renal stones who were scheduled for flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy. These patients were divided randomly into two groups: Group 1 (30 patients) received preoperative video-based information and Group 2 (30 patients) received only verbal information. Anxiety levels were assessed preoperatively using both the APAIS and STAI. On the first postoperative day, each patient indicated their pain using a visual analogue scale and filled out a questionnaire about their willingness to undergo the procedure again. RESULTS Group 1 exhibited lower anxiety levels as reflected by the APAIS scores for anesthesia (P=0.02), surgery (P<0.001), overall (P<0.001), and information needs (P<0.001). While there was no significant difference in the STAI-trait anxiety scores between the groups (P=0.15), Group 2 demonstrated notably higher anxiety levels concerning the surgical procedure, as measured by the STAI-state scores (P<0.001). The average pain score was 4.23 ± 2.17 for Group 1 and 5.37 ± 2.83 for Group 2 (P=0.08). Patients in Group 1 showed a greater willingness to undergo the surgery again (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Delivering preoperative information through videos significantly diminishes anxiety levels in patients about to undergo retrograde intrarenal surgery compared to traditional verbal communication.