Effect of Preoperative Counselling on Intraoperative and Postoperative Satisfaction among Pregnant Women Undergoing LSCS in a Tertiary Care Centre in Manipur, India: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: For optimal maternal outcomes during Caesarean Section (CS) under spinal anaesthesia, proper counselling regarding the intraoperative and postoperative effects of spinal anaesthesia is required to enhance postoperative patient satisfaction. Aim: The present study aimed to assess the effects of preoperative counselling on intraoperative and postoperative anxiety, fear, and other physiological responses associated with spinal anaesthesia. Additionally, it aimed to determine the level of perioperative satisfaction among patients during anaesthesia and surgery. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, a total of 214 American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II patients scheduled for elective Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS) were randomly assigned to either group A or group B. Group A received preoperative counselling about intraoperative events and postoperative care, along with routine pre-anaesthetic clinic assessment. Group B only underwent routine pre-anaesthetic clinic assessment. Intraoperative and postoperative satisfaction were assessed using the Visual Analogue Score (VAS), and physiological responses such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were monitored. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.0, and descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and t-test were used. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The results showed that the mean age in group A was 28.7±5.1, while in group B it was 27.54±5.0. In group A, 70% of patients were multiparous, compared to 48.6% in group B, with a p-value >0.05. The majority of patients in both groups were homemakers, with 99.1% in group A and 86.9% in group B. The distribution of VAS scores indicated that no pain and mild pain were more prevalent in the study group, while moderate pain was more common in the control group, which was statistically significant. Therefore, pain was reduced in the preoperative counselling group, and overall patient satisfaction was higher in the counselling group due to guidance throughout the anaesthetic and surgical procedures, leading to better anxiety and haemodynamic control. The distribution of patient satisfaction indicated that all patients reported reduced fear and anxiety due to preoperative guidance. A total of 69.2% of patients were very satisfied with preoperative counselling, and 30.8% were satisfied with preoperative counselling. Conclusion: This quasi-experimental study concludes that preoperative counselling regarding the anaesthetic procedure, intraoperative and postoperative events, and guidance throughout the procedure improves patients’ pain tolerance, cooperation, and behaviour during the perioperative period.