Patient anxiety and conscious surgery.

The amount of surgery undertaken on the conscious patient is increasing. However, many patients are anxious and resistant to such surgery. Patients (n = 214) were surveyed to determine their related apprehensions. Being awake, feeling or seeing the body cut open and experiencing pain all increased anxiety. The potential for insufficient information provision was also a source of concern. Formal management of intraoperative apprehension may help limit anxiety and expel apparent misapprehensions.