Published online Jun 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i6.115341
Revised: January 21, 2026
Accepted: March 3, 2026
Published online: June 19, 2026
Processing time: 167 Days and 0.6 Hours
Laparoscopic surgery is the standard minimally invasive treatment for pediatric appendicitis. However, children with appendicitis may experience varying de
To assess whether adding psychological intervention to standard operating room nursing improves psychological well-being and postoperative recovery in pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy.
A total of 98 patients were recruited at the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University between November 2023 and November 2024. Standard care was administered to 44 patients in the control group, whereas 54 patients in the research group received operating room nursing combined with psychological intervention. Outcomes compared between groups included surgical metrics (operation time and intraoperative blood loss), physiological indices (systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure and heart rate), psychological status (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders and Depression Self-Rating Scale for Children), postoperative recovery indicators (time to flatus, wound healing, and hospitalization stay), complications (hypothermia, pressure sores, and infection), and nursing satisfaction.
Compared with the control group, patients in the research group had reduced intraoperative blood loss, shorter operation and recovery times (earlier return of bowel function, faster wound healing, and shorter hospitalization stay), and a lower overall complication rate. Post-intervention systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders, and Depression Self-Rating Scale for Children scores were significantly reduced compared with baseline and were lower those in the research group. Nursing satisfaction scores were also higher in the research group.
Integrating psychological support with operating room nursing is superior to conventional care in alleviating anxiety and depression and enhancing postoperative recovery in pediatric laparoscopic appendectomy.
Core Tip: By comparing operating room nursing combined with psychological intervention vs routine care in children undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy, this study demonstrates that the combined approach offers greater clinical advantages. Specifically, it improves psychological and physical status, promotes smoother postoperative recovery, and increases nursing satisfaction while maintaining clinical safety, supporting its use as an optimized perioperative nursing strategy for pediatric patients.