Impact on Quality of Life After Pancreatoduodenectomy: A Prospective Study Comparing Preoperative and Postoperative Scores

Few studies compare the direct impact of pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) on the patient’s quality of life (QOL). The effect of PD in QOL, comparing the preoperative vs. postoperative status, was analyzed.

A prospective single-center study was performed. PD patients in a 2-year period were included. A general QOL instrument was applied preoperative, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery and compared with national norms.

Thirty-seven patients were recruited. Twenty of 37 were female. Ampullary carcinoma 14/37, ductal adenocarcinoma in 9/37, and other malignant neoplasms 14/37 were diagnosed. Mortality was absent; 48.6 % had complications, 13.5 % required reoperation. Three (median) and 4 (mode) questionnaires were answered per individual. 85 % answered the last questionnaire. 4/37 had cancer related death before a year. Median follow-up was 29 (3–72) months. QOL diminished a month after surgery, physical function (67 vs 40, p < 0.0001) and emotional role (37 vs 17, p < 0.032) did so significantly. Three months after surgery QOL improved yet not significantly. Six and 12 months postoperatively, physical role (9 vs 49, p = 0.001), physical pain (51 vs 71, p = 0.01), social function (52 vs 63, p = 0.014), vitality (54 vs 64, p = 0.018), and emotional role (41 vs 69, p = 0.006) improved significantly.

PD has a favorable impact in quality of life as demonstrated by the improvement of most parameters assessed in the postoperative period.