[Quality of life assessment after surgery for diverticulitis - a follow-up study]

Laparoscopic sigmoid resection is a well established procedure for surgical treatment of benign colorectal diseases. The aim of the present study was to assess the longterm quality of life of patients who underwent laparoscopic sigmoid resection for sigmoid diverticulitis. Differences in health related life quality to the open-conventional approach were evaluated in a matched pair analysis (age, gender, Hinchey-Stage, Type of Surgery) using a validated quality of life instrument.

A total of 45 matched pairs (laparoscopic/open) operated for diverticulitis at stage I-IIa (Hinchey classification) were included in this study. The quality of life was measured with the Short-Form-36-Health Survey (SF-36), a standardized questionnaire with 8 scales and 36 items. The follow-up period was at least 2 years (mean 62.2 months).

Pair members (n = 45) operated via laparoscopic or open approach for Hinchey I-IIa diverticulitis were of the same sex (21 female/24 male pairs) and age at time of surgery (range: lap.: 53.5-66 years; open: 53.5-67 years). Mean follow-up periods for patients operated laparoscopically and with open procedure were 2 (range: 1-3) and 7 (range: 5-9) years, respectively. The SF-36 scale scores for both groups appeared high and only slightly below a validated norm population. This represents a high quality of life after open as well as laparoscopic surgery for sigmadiverticulitis. No significant differences were apparent between the 45 matched-pairs. Pairs 65 years old or older presented no significantly different score values compared to those younger than 65 years.

The long-term follow-up data in this age and sex matched pair analysis showed favorable results after open as well as laparoscopic surgery for sigmadiverticulitis. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two surgical techniques. Self-reports by the patient concerning his or her health condition, recovery and quality of life following any surgical procedure are needed to assess valid outcome data of new surgical treatments including a critical evaluation of all its benefits and burdens.