7104 Body image, cosmesis and quality of life in patients after laparoscopic-assisted versus open restorative proctocolectomy.

Abstract

Introduction Improved cosmesis and Body Image (BI) are supposed to be advantages of laparoscopic surgery. However, these features have not been assessed objectively in patients who had either Laparoscopic-Assisted Restorative Proctocolectomy (LARPC) or Open Restorative Proctocolectomy (ORPC). Aim Body Image (BI), cosmesis and quality of life were compared in patients after LARPC or ORPC. Methods Thirty-two from the 35 patients operated between March1996 and March 1999 participated in the study. Fifteen patients had LARPC (via pfannenstiel incision) and 17 had ORPC (via median laparotomy). BI, cosmesis and quality of life were assessed using validated questionnaires. All patients completed the Body Image Questionnaire (BIQ), Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36) and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). The BIQ consisted of a BI-scale and a cosmetic scale. The BIscale, assessed patients' perception of and satisfaction with their own body and explores patients' attitude towards their bodily appearance. The cosmetic-scale assessed the degree of satisfaction of patients with respect to the physical appearance of the scar. Results Groups were comparable for per-operative and post-operative morbidity, distribution of sex, Body Mass Index, use of medication, marital status and follow-up. Patients in the ORPC-group were older than in the LARPC-group (mean 30.6 versus 39.2 years; p