PROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF QUALITY-OF-LIFE AFTER CONVENTIONAL ABDOMINAL AORTIC-ANEURYSM SURGERY

Objectives: To evaluate the changes in quality of life following conve ntional abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Design: Prospective study. M aterials and methods: Fifty-nine consecutive patients (50 men; nine wo men) in two surgical centres were investigated preoperatively, and at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. Quality of life was me asured using the Short Form 36 (SF 36) questionnaire and the York Qual ity of Life questionnaire, from which the Rosser index was calculated. Results: Rosser index assessment showed restoration of quality of lif e to preoperative levels by 3 months, and significant improvement at 6 months. Changes in the SF 36 revealed significant improvement in ment al health, and physical role limitation at all times postoperatively. Social function worsened at 6 weeks but improved to preoperative level s by 3 and 6 months after surgery. Conclusions: Quality of life was im proved after open aortic aneurysm repair. The time course of recovery shows a predominant improvement between 6 weeks and 3 months postopera tively.