Quality of Life After Robotic Abdominal Surgery – A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Robotic procedures are still increasing in abdominal surgery. Yet, little is known about the postoperative Quality of Life (pQoL) after these procedures. The aim of this study was to determine the pQoL of patients who underwent robotic-assisted abdominal surgery. Methods: As a cross-sectional, retrospective study, several validated questionnaires were used to evaluate the pQoL. After confirmed consent patients who underwent robotic upper gastrointestinal tract (UGI), hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB), and colorectal (CR) procedures between 03/2020 and 03/2023 were enrolled. Subgroup analysis referred to oncologic and non-oncologic indications, postoperative time periods and age >70 years. Scoring was adjusted to a scale of 0 to 100 (as the best QoL) for comparability. Results: A total of 197 patients were included (n = 111 for oncological indications, n = 86 for functional, non-oncological indications). Organ-related subgroup analyses showed an overall score of >70 for each group (oncologic: UGI: 75.6 ± 16.6; HPB: 85.6 ± 15.7; CR: 81.9 ± 18.5 and non-oncologic: UGI: 76.0 ± 14.8; HPB: 78.9 ± 13.2; CR: 82.4 ± 6.6). A decline in pQoL was observed during the second year after surgery, evident in both oncologic (<1 year: 80.7 ± 16.2 vs 1-2 years: 73.1 ± 19.7 vs 2-3 years: 88.4 ± 11.2, p = .005) and non-oncologic patients (<1 year: 80.7 ± 10.1 vs 1-2 years: 69.7 ± 18.9 vs 2-3 years: 75.6 ± 12.5, p = .033). PQoL was similar for patients under and above 70 years. Conclusion: The overall pQoL for abdominal surgery was good regardless of the indication or the organ system. A decline in the pQoL was noted during the second year after surgery. Due to the retrospective design and small subgroups, further longitudinal studies are required to determine the long-term QoL and influencing factors.