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Prospective evaluation of quality of life after conventional abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery
J M Perkins1, T R Magee, L J Hands
1Nuffield Department of Surgery, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe, U.K.
Objectives:
To evaluate the changes in quality of life following conventional abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Design:
Prospective study.
Materials And Methods:
Fifty-nine consecutive patients (50 men; nine women) in two surgical centres were investigated preoperatively, and at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. Quality of life was measured using the Short Form 36 (SF 36) questionnaire and the York Quality of Life questionnaire, from which the Rosser index was calculated.
Results:
Rosser index assessment showed restoration of quality of life to preoperative levels by 3 months, and significant improvement at 6 months. Changes in the SF 36 revealed significant improvement in mental health, and physical role limitation at all times postoperatively. Social function worsened at 6 weeks but improved to preoperative levels by 3 and 6 months after surgery.
Conclusions:
Quality of life was improved after open aortic aneurysm repair. The time course of recovery shows a predominant improvement between 6 weeks and 3 months postoperatively.