What does this research mean for the field?

Post-operative depression, anxiety, and PTSD are highly prevalent following abdominal and orthopedic surgeries, typically peaking in the early post-operative period and significantly impairing recovery, though some procedures like bariatric and corrective orthopedic surgeries can lead to marked improvements. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To systematically map the evidence regarding adult post-operative mental health challenges, specifically depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), following abdominal and orthopedic procedures.

September 8, 2026CureusOpen Access

Adult Post-operative Mental Health Outcomes Following Abdominal and Orthopedic Surgeries: A Scoping Review

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Review. Population: Post-operative depression, anxiety, and PTSD (n=86). Intervention: Abdominal and orthopedic surgeries vs. Pre-operative status or unexposed controls. Primary outcome: Post-operative depression, anxiety, or PTSD.

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Key result

Abdominal and orthopedic surgeries linked to early post-operative depression and anxiety exceeding ~60% prevalence.

n=86

Why the study?

While poor mental health negatively impacts surgical outcomes, the impact of surgery on mental health remains under-investigated.

Does major abdominal or orthopedic surgery impact post-operative depression, anxiety, or PTSD in adult patients?

Population

86 primary research studies on adult populations after abdominal and orthopedic surgeries

Design

Scoping review following JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR

Authors

GAGilbert Mua AkwaUniversité de Yaoundé I NTNale Christine TiemahUniversité de Yaoundé I ACAchangwa ChabejaUniversity of Kent

Discussion

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Implication

Supports routine mental health screening after major surgery; extends evidence for integrated perioperative care models.

Key Points

To systematically map the evidence regarding adult post-operative mental health challenges, specifically depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), following abdominal and orthopedic procedures.
Conducted a scoping review adhering to JBI methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines across PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and gray literature.
Identified and analyzed 86 primary research studies from an initial pool of 29,536 records focusing on adult surgical patients.
Depression and anxiety symptoms were prevalent across cohorts, peaking in the early post-operative period with prevalence exceeding 60% in certain studies, though symptoms improved after bariatric and corrective orthopedic procedures.
PTSD was most frequently reported among amputees and women undergoing cesarean deliveries.
Cross-study synthesis was constrained by marked heterogeneity among mental health assessment tools and a pronounced scarcity of data from low-income countries.

Structured PICO

Does major abdominal or orthopedic surgery impact post-operative depression, anxiety, or PTSD in adult patients?

Population

86 primary research studies evaluating post-operative depression, anxiety, and PTSD in adult patients following major abdominal or orthopedic surgeries, with follow-up up to two years.

Exposure

Major abdominal or orthopedic surgery

Outcome

Post-operative depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessed perioperatively or up to two years following surgerypatient reported

Post-operative depression, anxiety, and PTSD are common after abdominal and orthopedic surgeries, highlighting the need for multidisciplinary, patient-centered care and harmonized mental health assessment tools.

Limitations

Scarcity of evidence from low-income countries
Lack of data on PTSD in patients undergoing urological or abdominal procedures other than cesarean sections
Marked heterogeneity in mental health assessment tools complicates data synthesis
Large-scale, multinational studies are rare
Methodological quality and risk-of-bias assessments were not conducted
Marked heterogeneity in mental health assessment tools

Cite This Study

Akwa et al. (2026) conducted a review in Post-operative depression, anxiety, and PTSD (n=86). Abdominal and orthopedic surgeries vs. Pre-operative status or unexposed controls was evaluated on Post-operative depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Post-operative depression, anxiety, and PTSD commonly occur after abdominal and orthopedic surgeries, with depression and anxiety symptoms typically peaking early post-operatively and sometimes exceeding 60% prevalence.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9fd74958e84d0ff5b45bc6 https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.115806

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Adult Post-operative Mental Health Outcomes Following Abdominal and Orthopedic Surgeries: A Scoping Review

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Limitations

Cite This Study

Adult Post-operative Mental Health Outcomes Following Abdominal and Orthopedic Surgeries: A Scoping Review

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Structured PICO

Limitations

Cite This Study

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