title: A comparative study of quality of life issues relating to open versus laparoscopic nephrectomy: a prospective pragmatic study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We determined whether laparoscopic nephrectomy confers improved health related quality of life in the early postoperative period compared with open nephrectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients undergoing open or laparoscopic nephrectomy were prospectively recruited. Patients completed the Comorbidity Symptom Scale preoperatively as well as the SF-36(R) quality of life health survey and pain visual analog scale preoperatively, and 2 days and 1 month postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 100 patients were recruited, of whom 71 completed all questionnaires, including 38 in the laparoscopic group and 33 in the open group. In the 2 groups mean patient age was the same (56.8 years) and there was a similar sex distribution. The laparoscopic group had improved quality of life scores with significantly higher physical component scores 1 month postoperatively vs the open group (-5.7% vs -22.2%, p = 0.009). The laparoscopic group also had significantly higher mental component scores 2 days postoperatively vs the open group compared to baseline (6.0% vs -6.6%, p = 0.009). The laparoscopic group had significantly lower pain visual analog scale scores 1 month postoperatively compared to baseline. Patients with higher Comorbidity Symptom Scale scores were more likely to undergo a laparoscopic approach (p = 0.036). Despite this they had a significantly shorter hospital stay (4 vs 6 days, p <0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quality of life benefits of laparoscopic over open nephrectomy were found in the early postoperative period despite more comorbidities in the laparoscopic group. This provides further evidence of the benefits of the laparoscopic approach over open surgery.
authors.affiliation: Bristol Urological Institute, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ondina A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Harryman
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Davenport
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keoghane
authors.forename: Francis X
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Keeley
authors.forename: Anthony G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Timoney
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires