[Functional outcome and quality of life after pancreaticoduodenectomy]

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is a major surgical procedure whose physiological effects may weigh heavily on quality of life. The goal of this retrospective unicentric pilot study was to assess the the functional outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy and its effect on the patient's quality of life.

Thirty patients free from tumor recurrence more than one year after pancreaticoduodenectomy responded to the GIQLI questionnaire (Gastro Intestinal Quality of Life Index) and to a specific questionnaire evaluating long-term functional outcome.

The acceptability rate was 100%. The internal coherence of the GIQLI questionnaire was good (a Cronbach rate=0.85). The average total score of the GIQLI was 94 (IC-95%=[86-101]) compared to an ideal rate of 144. The quality of life was significantly impaired by steatorrhea, need for treatment of diarrhea, or need for enzymatic substitutive treatment.

Compared to the reference for the normal population, patients post-pancreaticoduodenectomy have an average 25% decrease of quality of life scores (although more than 25% of patients experience a normal quality of life). The impairment of quality of life after pancreaticoduodenectomy appears to be related to the functional digestive consequences of the procedure. The GIQLI score could be used to assess the technical surgical variants.