Long-term quality of life and symptoms of patients who underwent esophageal reconstruction employing intestinal pedicle grafts

Background This study was conducted to assess the long-term quality of life (QOL) and symptoms experienced by patients who underwent esophageal reconstruction. Methods We invited by mail 64 patients (group 1) and 400 subjects from the general population (group 2) to complete a two-part questionnaire regarding esophageal function and QOL (RAND 36). Results In all 39 group 1 and 114 group 2 subjects qualified for the final analysis. In the majority esophageal symptoms appeared directly after the operation. Symptoms of problems were choking (51%), burp (38%), and postprandial fullness (36%). Nineteen patients (49%) reported other comorbidities. Group 1 reported poorer QOL (P <0.01) in 2 of 8 QOL areas by comparision with group 2. There were no correlations between QOL scales and type of intestinal pedicle grafts or time after esophageal reconstruction. Conclusions Long-term QOL assessed by the patients themselves in general seems to be similar to that of the control sample. Combining a QOL survey with an esophageal module makes this instrument more specific.