Patient-Reported Recovery in Upper Abdominal Cancer Surgery Care: A Prospective Study

Abstract Background To describe and analyse patient-reported recovery in patients after upper abdominal cancer surgery.Methods This study had a quantitative and prospective design. Patients eligible for upper abdominal cancer surgery were consecutively included in a university hospital in southern Sweden. Twenty-four patients answered the Postoperative Recovery Profile (PRP) questionnaire at 3 measurement points. The PRP includes 5 dimensions of recovery: physical symptoms, physical function, psychological function, social function, and activity.Results The results were based on 72 answered questionnaires. All 5 dimensions were affected. Symptoms were rated preoperatively, and >60% of patients were not fully recovered upon discharge according to the PRP. In the physical symptoms dimension, the majority of patients reported a lack of energy upon discharge. High levels of anxiety were reported. Over 50% of patients reported some degree of depressed mood at all three measurement points. In the social dimension, the majority of patients reported some degree of inconvenience with respect to being dependent on help from others and restrictions in everyday life at four weeks after discharge.Conclusion Patients undergoing surgery for upper abdominal cancer are affected by psychological, physiological, social, and habitual factors, and according to the PRP, most estimates of these symptoms increase significantly after the surgery. Few patients are fully recovered at four weeks after discharge, and the majority of patients experience symptoms preoperatively. Individual patient-reported recovery estimates based on preoperative status and follow-up data may be valuable in identifying and planning interventions tailored to each patient's needs throughout the care process.