Minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer: quality of life, body image, cosmesis, and functional results

Abstract

Background: The aims of this cross-sectional study were to assess the long-term quality of life, the body image, and the cosmetic and functional results in patients who had laparoscopic-assisted for colorectal cancer.

Methods: Forty-two patients were enrolled in this study: 21 consecutive patients who had undergone laparoscopic-assisted colonic resection and 21 patients who had open colonic resection, selected according to stage, gender, age, cancer site, and type of resection. The patients answered four questionnaires about their quality of life, body image, functional, and cosmetic results. Nonparametric tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results: Postoperative hospital stay was shorter in patients who had laparoscopic-assisted resection. The cosmetic score was significantly better in the laparoscopic-assisted group than in the open group (p < 0.01). In spite of similar overall body image score, patients who had a laparoscopic-assisted resection reported a significantly better satisfaction with their own body (p = 0.05). Quality-of-life and functional results were similar in both groups.

Conclusions: The cosmetic results and the consequent satisfaction with the body were significantly better after laparoscopic assisted resection compared to equivalent open procedure. These effects seemed to be temporary but they could help patients to accept the burden of surgery.