Going through laparoscopic liver resection in patients with colorectal liver metastases – a qualitative study

Abstract

Aim: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Surgery is seen as the only curative treatment. There are two approaches to liver resection: open or laparoscopic surgery. Knowledge from the patient perspective can illuminate how it is experienced going through laparoscopic surgery. We aimed to study patient perspectives of the experience of undergoing laparoscopic liver resection surgery in patients with colorectal liver metastases. Design: This study has a qualitative research design. Nine patients participated in semi‐structured interviews 6 months after surgery. Data were analysed according to Kvale's five‐step analysis method. Results: Though the patients were satisfied with the laparoscopic approach, they expressed unmet informational needs about the new technique, time after discharge and surgery outcomes related to having metastatic cancer. Healthcare professionals should provide information and support that recognizes the needs of patients with cancer undergoing laparoscopic liver resection surgery.