Done with Mirrors?

With increasing numbers of invasive procedures being performed under regional anesthesia and monitored care, all causes fear anxiety in patients who remain awake the operating room must be taken into consideration. A significant source patient is possibility viewing surgical field. In one American study, 37% reported specific that they would see their surgery.1 British study echoed this finding, with 47% respondents reporting about “seeing body cut open.”2 Nevertheless, anesthesiologists can misunderstand common fear; a portion them believed having watch operation was method to decrease anxiety.3Images B demonstrate how supine procedure neuraxial or directly view incision/surgical The highly reflective coating lights, coupled alignment, allows for this. We have encountered several instances severe distress due everything” during Cesarean section spinal anesthesia. This unexpected phenomenon not problem those receiving general anesthesia, but operative are and/or lightly sedated experience unwanted, aversive visual imagery, leading increased anxiety, fear, possibly other negative psychologic sequelae. Given this, we recommend paying meticulous attention juxtaposition drapes, patient’s head avoid unwanted intraoperative visualization(s). Preprocedural counseling promptly report any stimuli, whether tactile, auditory, visual, also prudent.The authors declare no competing interests.