Long-term quality-of-life after open and laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy (LSC) is frequently performed for sigmoid diseases with excellent prognosis. We aimed to determine the long-term quality-of-life after open sigmoid colectomy (OSC) compared with LSC.


METHODS
Thirty-nine patients were investigated 40.5+/-2.8 months (mean+/-SEM) after LSC. Each LSC patient was matched to a patient after OSC. Patients were interviewed by telephone and the Eypasch quality-of-life questionnaire was answered by mail.


RESULTS
LSC entailed fewer minor complications (P=0.0003) and 97% of the patients were satisfied with the cosmetic result, which was more compared with 63% after OSC (P=0.001). Patients suffering from recurrent diverticulitis had a similar quality-of-life index after LSC and OSC (P=0.945). A minor trend was observed in patients with early-staged colorectal neoplasia in favor of LSC (113.6+/-3.3 vs. 106.0+/-4.2; P=0.21, mean+/-SEM).


CONCLUSIONS
LSC is superior concerning minor complications and cosmesis, whereas quality-of-life is similar in the long term.
Seitz
Guido
G
Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.
Seitz
Elke M
EM
Kasparek
Michael S
MS
Königsrainer
Alfred
A
Kreis
Martin E
ME
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000601:surgery*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D043963:Diverticulosis, Colonic / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies