Current Knowledge on Psychic Stress in Surgical Procedures

The incidence of stress among individuals submitted to major surgery is relevant. Although it has been noted that some patients go through the perioperative period without presenting stress, surgical patients have a high probability of presenting one of the four phases of stress. Recognizing the stress phase that affects the patient permits the medical team to act in a more appropriate manner and to propose interventions that will prevent worsening of the disease and an unsuccessful outcome of surgery.