title: [Pelvic exenteration: effects of surgical method on quality of life].
abstract: This prospective longitudinal study explores the quality of life of patients who underwent pelvic exenteration (n = 21) with or without reconstructive procedures by standardized questionnaires and semistructured interviews. Quality of life is defined in following categories: physical status, psychosocial issues, medical interaction, marital and sexual problems. At three points in time (preoperatively, 4 and 12 months postoperatively) the quality of life was mostly affected by worries about tumor-progress and not being able to care for oneself. Patients who received reconstructive or preserving procedures felt less restrained in all categories than those without reconstructive surgery although the preoperative situation was not different.
authors.affiliation: Universitäts-Frauenklinik, Mainz.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hawighorst-Knapstein
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schönefuss
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Knapstein
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D010385:Pelvic Exenteration / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012803:Sick Role; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*