• N Pernoud, J C Colavolpe, P Auquier, B Eon, J P Auffray, G François, and J L Blache.
• Département d'anesthésie-réanimation, hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France.
• Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. 1999 Oct 1;18(8):858-65.

PurposeTo assess the patient's experience of anaesthesia in the early postoperative period, with a self-completed questionnaire (Evan).Study DesignDescriptive and evaluative study.PatientsThe study included 742 adults undergoing an elective surgical or non surgical procedure under anaesthesia.MethodsAn Evan questionnaire with 25 questions was completed 24 hours after anaesthesia by the patient. The questionnaire explored six areas, each one being marked out from 0 to 100, as the visual analogue scale. The marks were compared with consideration of age, gender, ASA physical class, type of anaesthesia, anaesthesia duration and type of surgery.ResultsThe mean global mark was 76 +/- 9 (min-max: 34-99). Marks were lower in the youngest patients, in females, in ASA 1 patients, in longest surgical procedures, especially with regard to areas belonging to "apprehension", "pain-discomfort" and "physical needs". The lowest mark was given for the "information" provided during the pre-anaesthetic evaluation. Differences in marks occurred also between surgical specialities.ConclusionThe Evan questionnaire is a valuable tool for assessing the patient's opinion on the perioperative period. Further studies are required to extend its use to other fields, as ambulatory surgery.

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