ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of the patients who received pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and work out their long term therapy agents.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>QOL of 18 cases who received PD (group PD) and 18 cases received laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) (group LC) in the same days was determined by symptoms questionnaire and Chinese version SF-36 QOL questionnaire from Jan 2002 to Dec 2003 in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with group LC, the total QOL score and physical health score of group PD didn't have significant decrease. But the mental health score of group PD was lower than group LC (P < 0.05). Eight different scales of SF-36 questionnaire showed that the score in physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, social functioning of group PD was lower than that of group LC. The score in vitality, role-emotional and mental health of group PD was the same as the group LC. According to the symptoms questionnaire, the patient diarrhea and recurrence had obvious influence on PH score. The patient weight loss and unemployment had obvious influence on MH2 score.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The QQL of patients received PD didn't have decreased. Their total score of SF-36 QQL was close to the patients who received LC. But the mental health score of group PD was lower than group LC. Weight loss, unemployment, recurrence and chronic pancreatic diarrhea may be infect the Quality of life after PD.</p>