Psychosocial aspects of deformed leprosy patients undergoing surgical correction.

A psychosocial study was conducted on 25 randomly selected leprosy patients undergoing corrective surgical procedures for their deformities. High anxiety and depression levels found preoperatively, reduced significantly after operation. Psychiatric assistance is needed for these patients in order to clear their psychic aberrations, create awareness, boost morale and to give self-confidence. Only 50-75% of preoperative expectations were satisfied but that was only in 40% of patients. This calls for a preoperative counselling session with the patients to help them reach the realistic goals that they can achieve. They should be told what benefits surgery can offer them and be made aware of the problems which will persist after operation, such as anaesthesia and analgesia.