Case study: Clinical management of claustrophobia and cold sensitivity towards operating room environment with preoperative hypnosis

Abstract

We present a case of utilizing preoperative hypnosis technique in overcoming patient's fear of operating room's (OR) coldness and its small space fear (claustrophobia). In this report, we highlight how these two aspects of an OR environment can prevent patients to be maintained in a constant hypnotic trance state. Operating room can be a claustrophobic experience to some patients. The patient may not have experienced this situation. Therefore, it is important for anesthetist using hypnosis technique to be aware of possible anxiety attack being triggered by claustrophobia or sense of losing control of oneself. It is important to avoid suggestions that can trigger panic attacks, in this case, it was the sensitivity to OR coldness and detailed description of the OR environment.