BACKGROUND: Psychological preparation to reduce preoperative anxiety is one of the main purposes of preoperative visits. However, there are only a few reports about the parental anxiety of pediatric patients. This study was performed to get some information to reduce parental anxiety of pediatric patients through an interview during the preanesthetic visit.

METHODS: We collected data from the parents of the 122 preoperative children younger than 18 years old and scheduled for elective surgery. The questionnaire consisted of the demographic data, the severity of anxiety, the reason of anxiety, and the parental understanding level about anesthesia before and after hospitalization.

RESULTS: The most common cause of anxiety was about fear "not to recover from anesthesia" (33.1%), which appears to be usually due to lack of medical knowledge about anesthesia (65.1%). After hospitalization, parental understanding level about anesthesia was increased.

CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesiologists should explain anticipated events and the proposed anesthetic management, which would increase the understanding of parents about anesthesia. Therefore, anxiety and apprehension about anesthesia can be reduced.