What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the quality of life outcomes for patients undergoing palliative surgery for malignant bowel obstruction.

March 25, 2026

Quality of Life Following Palliative Surgery for Malignant Bowel Obstruction: A Scoping Review

Key Points

To evaluate the quality of life outcomes for patients undergoing palliative surgery for malignant bowel obstruction.
Conducted a scoping review using PubMed, EBSCO, and Cochrane databases.
Included 20 articles with a total of 1467 patients.
Assessed outcomes related to oral diet tolerance, stoma creation, and hospital discharge.
Most patients reported an improved quality of life after surgery.
Quality of life outcomes were mainly based on surrogate measures rather than direct patient reports.
The review highlights the need for future studies utilizing validated quality of life instruments.

Abstract

We performed a scoping review on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with malignant bowel obstruction who underwent palliative surgery using PubMed, EBSCO, and Cochrane databases. In total, 20 articles were included (1467 patients). Oral diet tolerance, stoma creation, and the ability to be discharged from the hospital were the main QoL outcomes reported. Most patients seem to benefit from an improved QoL. However, the QoL outcomes reported were surrogate and not patient-reported. Further prospective studies using validated QoL instruments are required.

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Authors

Thomas Couture

Université Laval

Amélie Rioux

McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre

Sébastien Drolet

Université Laval

Journals

Journal of Surgical Oncology

Actions

Institutions

Université Laval

References and Citations

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Building similarity graph...

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Quality of Life Following Palliative Surgery for Malignant Bowel Obstruction: A Scoping Review

Key Points

Abstract

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Authors

Journals

Actions

Institutions

References and Citations

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

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