[Knowledge and well-being of patients before and after preoperative findings disclosed by gynecologic surgery (hysterectomy and plastic breast surgery)].

Ten patients with gynecological problems were examined in the context of a preoperative discussion for informed consent. The Patients were tested before and following the discussion with questionnaires and partly standardized interviews regarding their condition and knowledge and the evaluation of the information style of the physician. The informative discussions were taped and evaluated for duration and informative content. The patients usually were able to quote important informations regarding the planned hysterectomies or cosmetic breasts operations. The patients were best informed about risks and least about the post-operative treatment and healing. The informative discussion showed a function of conveying information. The patients retained many of the informations given to them by the physicians. The operation and the risks were best covered. In addition, the informative discussion reduced anxiety. The anxiety and tenseness of the patients was obviously less following the discussion. The positive condition of the patient showed a correlation to the style of information displayed by the physician. It became obvious that less anxious patients absorbed information easier than anxious patients who profited less from the informative discussion. Redundant informations appear to be of significance. New informations were considered to be stressful by the patients although the transmission of information was important for the patients and all patients desired complete information. In our opinion, the results allow the conclusion that the pre-operative informative discussion has important functions to relieve anxiety by cognitive orientation about the planned procedure as long as the pre-operative discussion is part of continual transmission of information.