[Preoperative anxiety in surgeries of the breast: a comparative study between patients with suspected breast cancer and that undergoing cosmetic surgery.].

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of anxiety is not part of the routine pre-anesthetic evaluation (APA). Therefore, special situations in which patients might present altered mood will go unnoticed by the anesthesiologist. The objective of this study was to compare, at the moment of the outpatient basis APA, the risk factors, severity, and prevalence of anxiety in patients with suspected breast cancer and those undergoing cosmetic surgery of the breast.

METHODS

After approval by the Ethics Committee, 114 patients, ASA I or II, 14 years or older, were studied at the APA clinic; they were divided in two groups: GMAMA - patients with suspected breast cancer; GPLAST - patients undergoing cosmetic surgery. After signing the informed consent, patients answered the anxiety evaluation test (STAI - State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) before the preanesthetic evaluation. The following parameters were analyzed: socio-demographic data; prior experience with surgical procedures; number and percentage of patients with low, moderate, or high anxiety (STAI I and II); and median of the STAI I and II scores.

RESULTS

Both groups were homogenous regarding the socio-demographic data and prior experience with surgical procedures. There was a significant difference in the levels and prevalence of anxiety-state (STAI I). No risk factors for anxiety-state and anxiety-trait were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with suspected breast cancer scheduled for nodulectomy or removal of breast tissue for diagnosis, had higher levels and prevalence of anxiety-state than patients undergoing mammaplasty; the levels and prevalence of anxiety-trait were similar in both groups; no risk factors for anxiety-state and anxiety-trait were identified.