PTU - Polskie Towarzystwo Urologiczne
list of articles:

CODE: 21 - The evaluation of quality of life after laparoscopic nephropexy
Article published in Urologia Polska 2006/59/Suplement 1.

authors

Agata Kaliszczak, Marcin Słojewski, Bartłomiej Gliniewicz, Andrzej Sikorski
Katedra i Klinika Urologii PAM w Szczecinie

summary

Introduction. Nephroptosis is defined as a kidney displacement due to lack of sufficient fixa-tion in a physiological position. Pain syndromes caused by renal ptosis can significantly affect patients' quality of life and every-day functioning. With the development of laparoscopic methods nephropexy begun to be an effective way of treatment of nephroptosis.
Objectives. To evaluate the health related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with sympto-matic nephroptosis in patients treated laparoscopically.
Materials and methods. Between 2003 and 2005 13 women, ranging in age from 24 to 58 years (av. 39) were operated due to symptomatic nephroptosis. The diagnosis was confirmed on urography where downward kidney displacement at least 2 vertebral bodies or 5 cm was observed. The details of operative technique are presented in a separated paper. Polish version of SF-36 questionnaire was used in the study. Following domains (scales) were evaluated before and three months after surgery: physical function (PF), role physical (RP), role emo-tional (RE), energy and fatigue (VT), emotional well-being (MH), social function (SF), bodily pain (BP) and general health perception (GH). The score in scales are from 0 to 100: the higher score, the better result. Of operated patients nine (69.2%) completed questionnaires.
Results. Statistically significant differences were noted in all domains which means the im-provement in quality of life. Following domains from the health survey questionnaire showed the biggest improvement (average score before vs after surgery): RP (28.46 vs 69.44), RE (22.10 vs 64.86), VT (22.21 vs 53.46), BP (20.55 vs 61.94).
Conclusions. 1. Laparoscopic nephropexy significantly improves the quality of life of pa-tients with symptomatic nephroptosis. 2. The candidates for laparoscopic nephropexy should be qualified very carefully. One of the criteria's which may be helpful in preoperative investi-gation, are data from health survey questionnaires.