What This Means
This research suggests that patients undergoing urological and genitourinary surgeries — such as bladder, prostate, or kidney procedures — experience distinct psychological challenges at different points in their surgical journey. Before surgery, patients commonly face fear and uncertainty. Shortly after surgery, concerns shift to managing pain, sleep problems, and adapting to medical devices. Over the longer term, some patients — particularly those dealing with changes to urinary function, sexual function, genital anatomy, or body image — may experience ongoing emotional distress, especially if they have limited social support or a history of mental health difficulties.
The review, which synthesized findings from 44 studies published over more than two decades, found that a range of supportive strategies have been reported, including patient education programs, multidisciplinary care teams, digital tools, virtual reality, nerve stimulation techniques, and approaches to managing pain without relying heavily on opioids. However, because most of the available studies were observational in nature and varied widely in their methods and populations, it is not yet possible to draw firm conclusions about which interventions work best or for whom.
This research matters because it highlights that psychological care in urological surgery is not a single-point concern but an ongoing need that changes over time. The authors suggest that future care pathways should include repeated mental health screening throughout the surgical journey, structured patient education, involvement of family members, and clear referral routes to mental health support — particularly for patients at higher risk of longer-term distress. These findings provide a foundation for designing and testing more systematic approaches to supporting the emotional wellbeing of patients undergoing these procedures.