Quality of life in patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery

Objective: Current evidence has shown how laparoscopic surgery results in shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, and better aesthetic results. However, we do not have information on populations in Latin America and the impact that the social environment has on quality of life in patients with gynecological cancer undergoing minimally invasive surgery. To assess quality of life of patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery in a gynecologic oncology department over time and to establish the relationship with patient and treatment variables.

Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated the quality of life of women undergoing minimally invasive surgery from August 2019 to July 2021. The FACT-G (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General) scale encompasses global quality of life and four domains of physical, social, emotional, and functional components. This scale was applied to measure quality of life in the preoperative, early operative, and late postoperative periods. Additionally, mixed models were used to compare quality of life based on demographic and clinical factors after minimally invasive surgery.

Results: A total of 158 patients were analyzed. Belonging to a higher socioeconomic stratum (3 vs 1) had a positive impact on the global quality of life in patients undergoing surgery with an increase of 7.6 points (p=0.011). Also, a lower Charlson Index had a positive impact of 0.393 points for the physical component of quality of life (p=0.031). For the social component of quality of life, having a partner and being part of a higher socioeconomic stratum (3 and 2 vs 1) resulted in an increase of 2.11 (p=0.005), 4.06 (p<0.05), and 2.55 (p=0.004) points, respectively. Belonging to a higher socioeconomic stratum (3 vs 1) resulted in an increase of 2.03 points (p=0.031) for the functional component of quality of life. Finally, the complexity of the procedure, or whether the procedure was ambulatory or not did not impact quality of life.

Conclusions: Lower Charlson Index, having a partner, or having higher socioeconomic status are all associated with higher quality of life of patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery.