Assessing long term quality of life in geriatric patients after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

INTRODUCTION

While cholecystectomy is shown to be safe in older patients, few existent studies investigate associated quality of life. This study examines quality of life in symptomatic geriatric patients after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Patients ≥65 years of age who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a tertiary care center were administered the 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12) and a gastrointestinal survey pre-operatively and post-operatively (within 6 and 18 months of surgery). Quality of life characteristics were compared amongst visit type in univariate and multivariate settings, with a mixed-model regression.

RESULTS

Our sample included 30 patients. Pain frequency (p = 0.004) and pain severity (p = 0.013) scores improved with each subsequent visit type. SF-12 mental health aggregate score improved overall from pre-operative to long term follow-up (p = 0.0403).

DISCUSSION

Our findings suggest that health-related quality of life in geriatric patients improves after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the short and long term.

SUMMARY

Quality of life was assessed in symptomatic geriatric patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Pain frequency, pain severity, and the SF-12 mental health aggregate scores improved overall from pre-operative to post-operative visit types.