TouchSurgery: A New Way to Relax Before a Procedure

Tossing and turning the night before an operation is common for many patients. Procedures can be very overwhelming and nerve-wracking. Many doctors will prescribe patients anxiety medication, such as Xanax. But now there’s an alternative way to stay calm before that big day.

Tossing and turning the night before an operation is common for many patients. Procedures can be very overwhelming and nerve-wracking. Many doctors will prescribe patients anxiety medication, such as Xanax. But now there’s an alternative way to stay calm before that big day.

Welcome a new app called TouchSurgery. This mobile surgical simulator can show patients virtual and actual surgeries of how their upcoming procedure will be performed. Being more informed – the reasoning goes – can help build trust and confidence in patients who are filled with anxiety.

TouchSurgery, which is free to download, allows patients to visualize a number of computer-simulated operations including the removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy), removal of the appendix (appendectomy), and common hip and shoulder surgeries.

A patient’s positive mental state before surgery can even contribute to improved outcomes and shorter hospital stays. With the assistance of an iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone, the common mystery and fear a patient experiences before a surgery can be minimized.

The videos can be graphic, so this app isn’t for everyone. But for those who are more curious than squeamish, it can be an alternative to anxiety medications before surgery.