Assessment of quality of life in patients undergoing laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy

Background: Gallstone disease is a common gastrointestinal disorder, and cholecystectomy remains its definitive treatment. With the advancement of minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the preferred technique; however, its superiority over open cholecystectomy in terms of post-operative quality of life (QoL) continues to be evaluated. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess and compare the post-operative QoL in patients undergoing laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy using the RAND-36 health survey. Materials and Methods: This prospective comparative observational study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Government Medical College, Datia, between September 2024 and August 2025. A total of 200 patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis were enrolled, of whom 100 underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 100 underwent open cholecystectomy. QoL was assessed using the RAND-36 questionnaire preoperatively and at 4 weeks postoperatively. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences v21, with a P<0.05 considered significant. Results: Baseline demographic variables, including mean age (42.58±12.35 vs. 43.11±11.98 years, P=0.68) and gender distribution (male 36% vs. 39%, female 64% vs. 61%), were comparable between groups. At 4 weeks, laparoscopic cholecystectomy demonstrated significantly superior QoL scores across seven of eight domains: physical functioning (88.68±22.40 vs. 60.00±30.00; P=0.01), role limitations due to physical health (98.75±10.55 vs. 70.00±20.00; P=0.001), emotional role (98.67±11.49 vs. 75.00±25.00; P=0.001), vitality (83.11±12.46 vs. 60.00±15.00; P=0.01), social functioning (98.88±5.20 vs. 80.00±15.00; P=0.001), pain (97.30±15.49 vs. 70.00±20.00; P=0.01), and general health (67.00±35.51 vs. 50.00±30.00; P=0.04). Emotional well-being showed no significant difference (P=0.88). Conclusion: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy provided faster recovery, less pain, and better short-term QoL outcomes compared with open cholecystectomy. It should be preferred as the standard surgical approach for symptomatic gallstone disease.