Quality of life in patients having an ileal conduit, continent reservoir or orthotopic neobladder after cystectomy for bladder carcinoma

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Abstract
Background : To compare the QOL in patients with ileal or colon conduits (IC), continent urinary reservoir (CR) and ileal neobladder (NB), a retrospective study was conducted using a questionnaire sent by mail. Methods : Seventy‐nine patients with a mean age of 60 years were included in this study. A total of 36, 22 and 21 underwent IC, CR and NB, respectively and were alive at the time of this study. A structured questionnaire consisting of 97 questions that covered general condition and physical condition, reconstruction‐related symptoms, psychological status, sexual life, social status and satisfaction with the treatment was employed. Results : The IC group frequently complained of changes in bathing habits and loss of using public baths in comparison with the CR and the NB groups. High scores for loss of sexual desire were obtained in the IC, the CR and the NB groups, in this order. Because of the nearly physiological voiding, the NB group desired a voiding condition like pre‐operative status as compared with the IC and the CR groups. However, for most of the questionnaire items no difference was seen among the IC, CR and NB groups concerning general condition, reconstruction‐related symptoms, psychological status, sexual life, social status, satisfaction with the treatment and global satisfaction with life and health. Conclusions : There was little difference in the QOL score of the questionnaire and satisfaction among the IC, CR and NB groups. It was suggested that almost every patient accepted and adapted to the present status of general quality of life in each group.