Purpose: To investigate the impact of a laparoscopic resection on the quality of life in rectal cancer patients.
Methods: This study included 135 patients (laparoscopic resection [LR] 65 cases and open resection [OR] 70 cases). The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38 questionnaires were used to measure the quality of life before the operation, then 1 week, 3 months, and 1 year after the operation.
Results: Eleven (16.9%) patients underwent a conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery. The incision length and blood loss both decreased significantly in the LR group in comparison to the OR group (P < 0.05). Recovery of the gastrointestinal function, bladder function, and ambulation was more rapid in the LR group (P < 0.05). The patients in the LR group reported better global health status (33.3 vs 25.0, P < 0.001), body image (77.8 vs 66.7, P = 0.008), and less pain (33.3 vs 50. 0, P = 0.009) 1 week after operation. Better body image was reported in the LR group even 1 year after the operation (P < 0.05). Fewer financial difficulties were reported by patients in the LR group (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found between two groups on other scales.
Conclusions: This study showed that the quality of life benefits due to minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery were evident only in the immediate postoperative period. A laparoscopic rectal resection therefore provided only better cosmetic benefit over the longer term.