Psychosocial Aspects of Gynecologic Surgery

Abstract

For any patient the prospect of surgery, whether major or minor, can be a highly stressful experience. Women facing pelvic surgery have added stress because of the relationship between the pelvic organs, sexuality, and reproduction. Also, women are frequently embarrassed by discussions about or examination of their pelvic organs. In some respects, a woman is intimately familiar with her reproductive organs. And yet, these organs are internal, poorly visualized, and sometimes understood more by fantasy than fact. Thus, gynecologic surgery is likely to produce a variety of emotional reactions. Good preoperative preparation and aggressive handling of these emotional reactions can result in better recovery and in patients who react more positively to their surgery, both physically and emotionally. Good preoperative preparation can significantly reduce negative emotional sequelae. Although this chapter focuses on several major procedures, the techniques and suggestions for avoiding pathologic postoperative reactions apply to all gynecologic surgical procedures.