Patients' assessment and recall of surgical information after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: While patients' needs for adequate preoperative information are generally recognized, data evaluating the effectiveness of the consultation before laparoscopic cholecystectomy have not been published until today. This prospective study was performed to investigate the success of preoperative information. Methods: A combination of oral and written information was given to all patients in two interviews. Information concentrated on indications for surgery, operative procedures, and risks. Patients were asked to answer questionnaires 5 days after the operation. Results: From January 1996 to January 1997, 200 patients were interviewed. Ninety-seven percent indicated to wish detailed information. Eighty-four percent indicated a high level of satisfaction with the presented information. While the levels of knowledge concerning indications for surgery and procedures were satisfactory in 85 and 51% respectively, only 30% were able to name at least one risk factor of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that patients' evaluation of their surgical knowledge and the process by which it was communicated to them did not correspond to their ability to recall this information after surgery.