Health-related quality of life changes following major and minor hepatic resection: the impact of complications and postoperative anemia.

Background: Few studies have evaluated the health-related quality-of-life (QOL) changes in patients following major liver resection for malignancy.

Methods: QOL parameters were recorded prospectively at baseline (preoperative), and through 6 months of follow-up using various instruments.

Results: Major complications occurred in 10 of 41 patients. At the initial outpatient visit, patients reported decreased global QOL with increased fatigue compared with baseline, which normalized at 6 weeks' follow-up and remained stable at 6 months. Those with major complications reported increased severity of pain over baseline at initial follow-up and at 6 months. Patients anemic at the time of discharge had worse physical QOL at 6 weeks, but levels similar to nonanemic patients at 3 months.

Conclusions: Major complications are associated with increased reporting of pain persisting at 6 months. Attention to pain control, especially among patients with major complications, may improve QOL after major hepatic resection.