Anxiolytic Effect of Lavender Oil on Orthognathic Surgery Patients

Preoperative anxiety is a common problem. It has long been known that surgical operations, unconsciousness, the risks of the operation itself, and the pain to be encountered in the future can cause a considerable amount of anxiety. Anxiety is associated with an uncertain psychological distress, and may vary to minor disturbances to extreme stress. Depending on the severity of the anxiety, preoperative anxiety can affect how well the patient understands the information about the surgery. In addition, stress factors such as interleukins released in the body in anxiety may negatively affect both surgical and post-surgical periods. We want to help patients improve their satisfaction by reducing their anxiety levels and ensure they have a better surgical experience. In addition, anxiety can also prevent active participation in the treatment of the patient during postoperative recovery. Sedatives and other anxiolytic agents may be prescribed to prevent this condition. However, these methods can have side effects. The physical and psychological effects of essential oils and traditional medicine practices as aromatherapy has been used for a long time and has potency to reduce using sedatives. Lavender oil is a fragrance that many of us have experienced in growing up at home and is also popular today. The lavender plant belongs to the Labitae family and has been used for centuries in dried or essential oil form. Lavender obtained from flower heads and leaves with vapor distillation. Traditionally, this oil is believed to be beneficial for antibacterial, antifungal, muscle relaxant, sedative, antidepressant effects and for burn and insect bites. Nowadays it is used for aromatherapy and antibacterial and pleasant fragrance material which is used in soaps and cosmetic products. This oil has also been specifically investigated and is an essential oil scientifically shown to reduce patient anxiety before various surgeries. However, the anxiolytic effect of this essential oil has not been investigated for orthognatic surgery patients and there is very few studies investigating different concentrations.

The aim of our study is to investigate whether the different concentration of lavender oil diffused in the preoperative environment of orthognathic surgery patients reduces preoperative anxiety.