OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective cohort study using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) was to detect short term changes in functioning, symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy (RALH) for endometrial cancer or atypical complex hyperplasia.

METHODS/MATERIALS: A total of 139 women answered the EORTC C-30, EN-24 and EQ-5D-3L preoperatively (baseline) by face to face interview and again 1 week, 5 weeks and 4 months postoperatively by telephone interview. The women furthermore reported their level of activity compared to their habitual level in a diary during the first 5 weeks after surgery.

RESULTS: We found a clinically relevant decrease in HRQoL after 1 week. At 5 weeks postoperatively, HRQoL was again at the preoperative level. Fatigue, pain, constipation, gastrointestinal symptoms, and appetite were all negatively affected 1 week postoperatively, but back to baseline level at 5 weeks. Ability to perform work or hobbies and change of taste were still affected at 5 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS: HRQoL and postoperative symptoms were overall back to the preoperative level 5 weeks after RALH. These findings indicate fatigue, pain, constipation, gastrointestinal symptoms, appetite, ability to perform work and hobbies, change of taste and sexually related problems should be addressed in future research and in the pre- and postoperative care for women undergoing RALH.