Long-term impact of emergency laparotomy on health-related quality of life

Emergency laparotomy can result in a range of physical and neuropsychiatric postoperative complaints, potentially impacting quality of life. This study aimed to assess the effect of emergency laparotomy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and how HRQoL influences the risk of readmission.

HRQoL was assessed in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy during a 1-year period. Patients who completed the baseline HRQoL evaluation underwent a reassessment on postoperative day (POD) 30, 90, and 180. HRQoL was measured with the EQ5D index, and patients were categorized in 'high' and 'low' HRQoL. A decrease from high baseline HRQoL to low HRQoL by POD 30 was classified as 'acquired low HRQoL'.

All 215 patients who completed the baseline HRQoL evaluation were followed. On average, patients reported a lower mean (M) HRQoL from baseline (M = 0.876, standard deviation (SD) = 0.171) to POD 30 (M = 0.735, SD = 0.260). On POD 90, HRQoL had somewhat improved (M = 0.763, SD = 0.298), and by POD 180 HRQoL had returned to normal (M = 0.853, SD = 0.235). From the full-record population (n = 73), 20.5% acquired low HRQoL of whom 33% had not recovered by POD180. For patients with acquired low HRQoL, the risk of 180-day readmission was increased, and days alive and out of hospital within 180 days was reduced.

For most patients, HRQoL has returned to normal within 180 days after emergency laparotomy. However, patients who acquired low HRQoL after the procedure had an increased risk of long-term readmission.