Perioperative anxiety and fear of death

Abstract

An important field of anesthesiology but also of psychiatry and psychotherapy, is perioperative anxiety and especially the fear of death. In this review article the most important types of anxiety in the individual phases before, during and after surgery are presented and diagnostic aspects as well as risk factors are discussed. Benzodiazepines can classically be used therapeutically here, but in recent years the preoperative anxiety-reducing effects of e.g., supporting talks, acupuncture, aroma therapy, and relaxation methods have come more into focus, because benzodiazepines promote postoperative delirium, which significantly increases morbidity and mortality. Perioperative fear of death should, however, be given greater clinical and scientific attention in order not only to have a better understanding and preoperative care of patients, but also to reduce adverse consequences during surgery and afterwards.