Patientsʼ awareness of postoperative adhesions: results from a multi-centre study and online survey
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Kraemer, Bernhard; Birch, Jennifer C.; Birch, Judy V.; Petri, Nina; Ahmad, Umar; Marikar, Dilshad; Wallwiener, Markus; Wallwiener, Christian; Foran, Amanda; Rajab, Taufiek K.
- Source
- Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. May 01, 2011 283(5):1069-1073
- Subject
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 0932-0067
PURPOSE: To analyse and to compare how female patients are informed about adhesions and their related problems by surgeons preoperatively. METHODS: Over 8 weeks 105 patients (Germany) and 82 (UK) patients admitted for laparoscopic or open abdominopelvic surgery were interviewed preoperatively in a multi-centre study in Germany and the UK. 212 responses to an online survey were also analysed. RESULTS: Less than 50% of patients are made aware of adhesions. Even fewer patients were told about complications caused by adhesions. Lack of knowledge is cited by 46% of patients as a reason for health professionals not informing them about adhesions. 41% considered adhesions as not sufficiently important. Patients who had previously heard of adhesions were most commonly informed by physicians. CONCLUSIONS: There is lack of information among patients and physicians about adhesions and their complications. Written information before surgery and computer-based applications may help raise patientʼs awareness.