Purpose: We compare the quality of life after laparoscopic prostatectomy to that after standard radical prostatectomy.
Material and methods: The quality of life of 52 and 54 patients who underwent laparoscopic and open radical prostatectomy, respectively, was analyzed using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Prostate Cancer quality of life questionnaire for general health related quality of life, International Index of Erectile Function 5 for screening erectile dysfunction and International Continence Society MaleSF questionnaire to evaluate urinary status. These questionnaires were given to patients before and 6 months after surgery.
Results: The general health related quality of life survey revealed no significant differences in health before and after laparoscopic and open prostatectomy. However, sexual quality of life was markedly lower after surgery (p <0.01). In addition, the International Index of Erectile Function score was markedly abrogated by surgery (p <0.05) and quality of life due to urinary incontinence was significantly disturbed by surgery (p <0.05). In contrast, quality of life due to voiding dysfunction was impaired before surgery and significantly improved by surgery (p <0.05). Patients were also asked if they would choose the same treatment if suffering from the same disease, with more patients treated laparoscopically choosing the same treatment than those treated with open surgery (p <0.05).
Conclusions: While general health related quality of life was not impaired, sexual quality of life was diminished by surgery. Patients were generally satisfied with postoperative urinary status. Although patients who underwent laparoscopic prostatectomy expressed a more favorable attitude toward surgery, there was no significant difference in quality of life at 6 months after surgery between the 2 groups.