Prehabilitation: getting ready for surgery
Prehabilitation means optimising the patient's physical, nutritional and psychological condition before oncological surgery. It reduces complications by 30-50% and speeds up recovery.
Components of prehabilitation
1. Nutritional optimisation: See nutrition in oncological surgery. Protein supplements, immunonutrition, correction of deficiencies
2. Physical exercise: Aerobic + strength. 30 min/day for 4-6 weeks before surgery. Improves cardiopulmonary capacity and functional reserve
3. Medical optimisation: Control of diabetes, hypertension, anaemia. Stopping smoking (cutting down 4+ weeks before improves outcomes)
4. Psychological preparation: Reducing anxiety, relaxation techniques, full information about the procedure and recovery
Proven benefits
• 30-50% fewer postoperative complications
• Hospital stay 2-3 days shorter
• Faster functional recovery
• Lower readmission rate
• Better quality of life after surgery
• Greater likelihood of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy on time
Especially important in
• Complex surgery (HIPEC, sarcomas)
• Malnourished or sarcopenic patients
• Age >70
• Significant comorbidities
Oncological surgery coming up? At Quenet Torrent Institute we assess and prepare each patient before the operation to improve the outcome of surgery. Request an appointment.