A comparative study of quality of life issues relating to open versus laparoscopic nephrectomy: a prospective pragmatic study.

Purpose: We determined whether laparoscopic nephrectomy confers improved health related quality of life in the early postoperative period compared with open nephrectomy.

Materials And Methods: Patients undergoing open or laparoscopic nephrectomy were prospectively recruited. Patients completed the Comorbidity Symptom Scale preoperatively as well as the SF-36(R) quality of life health survey and pain visual analog scale preoperatively, and 2 days and 1 month postoperatively.