Personalised Prehabilitation in High-risk Patients Undergoing Elective Major Abdominal Surgery

Exercise and Nutrition Interventions for Prehabilitation in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Cancers: A Narrative Review

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers constitute over 25% of global cancer cases annually, with hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) cancers presenting particularly poor prognosis and challenging surgical treatments. While advancements in clinical care have improved post-operative outcomes over time, surgery for HPB cancers remains associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Patients with HPB cancer are often older, diagnosed at later stages, and have a higher prevalence of co-morbid conditions, leading to reduced life expectancy, suboptimal post-operative recovery, and increased recurrence risk. Exercise and nutrition interventions have emerged as safe non-pharmacological strategies to enhance clinical outcomes among cancer survivors, but their potential in the pre-operative period for patients with HPB cancer remains underexplored. This narrative review evaluates existing evidence on exercise and nutritional interventions during pre-operative prehabilitation for HPB cancer populations, focusing on clinically relevant post-operative outcomes related to frailty and malnutrition. We conducted a literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify studies utilizing a prehabilitation intervention in HPB cancer populations with exercise and nutritional components. The currently available evidence suggests that incorporating exercise and nutrition into prehabilitation programs offers a critical opportunity to enhance post-operative outcomes, mitigate the risk of comorbidities, and support overall survivorship among HPB cancer populations. This review underscores the need for further research to optimize the timing, duration, and components of pre-operative prehabilitation programs, emphasizing patient-centered, multidisciplinary approaches in this evolving field.

Effects of unimodal or multimodal prehabilitation on patients undergoing surgery for esophagogastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of unimodal or multimodal prehabilitation on patients undergoing surgery for esophagogastric cancer.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) databases from database inception to May 5, 2023, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies that investigated prehabilitation in the context of esophagogastric cancer. A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 2,994 records and eventually included 12 studies (6 RCTs and 6 cohort studies) with a total of 910 patients. According to random-effects pooled estimates, prehabilitation reduced the incidence of all complications (RR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66 to 0.93, P = 0.006), pulmonary complications (RR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.79, P = 0.0002), and severe complications (RR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.84, P = 0.002), and shortened the length of stay (MD = -1.92, 95% CI: -3.11 to -0.73, P = 0.002) compared to usual care. However, there were no statistically significant differences in 30-day readmission rates or in-hospital mortality. Subgroup analysis showed that multimodal prehabilitation was effective in reducing the risk of all complications and severe complications, while unimodal prehabilitation was not.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggested that prehabilitation may be beneficial in reducing postoperative complications and length of stay. We recommend preoperative prehabilitation to improve postoperative outcomes and hasten recovery following esophagogastric cancer surgery, and multimodal prehabilitation seems to be more advantageous in reducing complications. However, further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Potential for using simulated altitude as a means of prehabilitation: a physiology study

The current pandemic of surgical complications necessitates urgent and pragmatic innovation to reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality, which are associated with poor pre-operative fitness and anaemia. Exercise prehabilitation is a compelling strategy, but it has proven difficult to establish that it improves outcomes either in isolation or as part of a multimodal approach. Simulated altitude exposure improves performance in athletes and offers a novel potential means of improving cardiorespiratory and metabolic fitness and alleviating anaemia within the prehabilitation window. We aimed to provide an initial physiological foundation for 'altitude prehabilitation' by determining the physiological effects of one week of simulated altitude (FI O2 15%, equivalent to approximately 2438 m (8000 ft)) in older sedentary volunteers. The study used a randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover design. Eight participants spent counterbalanced normoxic and hypoxic weeks in a residential hypoxia facility and underwent repeated cardiopulmonary exercise tests. Mean (SD) age of participants was 64 (7) y and they were unfit, with mean (SD) baseline anaerobic threshold 12 (2) ml.kg-1 .min-1 and mean (SD) peak V̇O2 15 (3) ml.kg-1 .min-1 . Hypoxia was mild (mean (SD) Sp O2 93 (2) %, p < 0.001) and well-tolerated. Despite some indication of greater peak exercise capacity following hypoxia, overall there was no effect of simulated altitude on anaerobic threshold or peak V̇O2 . However, hypoxia induced a substantial increase in mean (SD) haemoglobin of 1.5 (2.7) g.dl-1 (13% increase, p = 0.028). This study has established the concept and feasibility of 'altitude prehabilitation' and demonstrated specific potential for improving haematological fitness. Physiologically, there is value in exploring a possible role for simulated altitude in pre-operative optimisation.

Muscle quality, not quantity, is associated with outcome after colorectal cancer surgery

INTRODUCTION

Emerging evidence suggests that deconditioned patients benefit most from prehabilitation before colorectal cancer surgery. So far, selecting patients with poor muscle status and high perioperative risk remains challenging. Therefore, this study evaluates the potential of the CT-derived Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI), representing muscle mass, and of the Muscle Radiation Attenuation (MRA), a measure of muscle quality, for risk stratification in colorectal cancer patients.

METHODS

In this retrospective, single-center observational study, 207 patients with resection of colorectal adenocarcinoma between January 2016 and December 2020 were included. The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and survival were recorded. Data were analyzed using multivariable linear, logistic, and Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for age, sex, BMI, CCI, neoadjuvant therapy, tumor stage, and surgery type.

RESULTS

An increase of the MRA was associated with fewer postoperative complications (anastomotic leakage and pneumonia) and lesser severity according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, shorter hospital stays, and prolonged survival (Hazard ratio: 0.63 [95%CI: 0.49-0.81], p < 0.001). No relevant associations were found between the SMI and postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, or survival.

CONCLUSION

The easy-to-raise MRA serves as a more reliable tool than the SMI for identifying high-risk patients with poor muscle status before colorectal surgery. Those patients may benefit most from prehabilitation, which has to be proven in future interventional trials.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of exercise intervention in kidney transplant recipients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

There is uncertainty about the beneficial effects of exercise intervention for kidney transplant recipients. The purpose of our meta-analysis is to estimate the efficacy of exercise intervention in kidney transplant recipients.

METHODS

A database search according to the PICOS framework was performed for all published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) about exercise intervention for kidney transplant recipients. The databases involved include PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library.

RESULTS

A total of 16 RCTs (involving 827 patients) in compliance with inclusion criteria were included in our study. The results demonstrated that adequate exercise intervention improved statistically in creatinine clearance [mean difference (MD) =  - 0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) - 0.46 to - 0.11, p = 0.001], serum urea (MD = - 21.57, 95% CI - 35.84 to - 7.29, p = 0.003), VO2 peak (MD = 3.20, 95% CI 1.97-4.43, p < 0.00001), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (MD = 0.21, 95% CI 0.04-0.37, p = 0.01), 60-s sit to stand test (60-STS) (MD = 14.47, 95% CI 8.89-20.04, p < 0.00001), 6-min walk distance (6-MWD) (MD = 91.87, 95% CI 38.34-145.39, p = 0.0008), and 6-min walk test (6-MWT) (MD = 44.08, 95% CI 20.30-67.87, p = 0.0003) of patients after kidney transplantation. No between-groups differences (p > 0.05) were observed for anthropometric characteristics, body composition, serum cytokine levels, and quality of life short form-36 questionnaire (SF-36).

CONCLUSIONS

In kidney transplant recipients, appropriate exercise intervention improved renal function, cardiopulmonary function, physical performance.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42022357574.

Prehabilitation programs - a systematic review of the economic evidence

Introduction

Prehabilitation, which involves improving a patient's physical and psychological condition before surgery, has shown potential benefits but has yet to be extensively studied from an economic perspective. To address this gap, a systematic review was conducted to summarize existing economic evaluations of prehabilitation interventions.

Methods

The PRISMA Protocols 2015 checklist was followed. Over 16,000 manuscripts were reviewed, and 99 reports on preoperative interventions and screening tests were identified, of which 12 studies were included in this analysis. The costs are expressed in Pounds (GBP, £) and adjusted for inflation to December 2022.

Results

The studies were conducted in Western countries, focusing on specific surgical subspecialties. While the interventions and study designs varied, most studies demonstrated cost savings in the intervention group compared to the control group. Additionally, all cost-effectiveness analysis studies favored the intervention group. However, the review also identified several limitations. Many studies had a moderate or high risk of bias, and critical information such as time horizons and discount rates were often missing. Important components like heterogeneity, distributional effects, and uncertainty were frequently lacking as well. The misclassification of economic evaluation types highlighted a lack of knowledge among physicians in prehabilitation research.

Conclusion

This review reveals a lack of robust evidence regarding the economics of prehabilitation programs for surgical patients. This suggests a need for further research with rigorous methods and accurate definitions.

Cardiac and intramuscular adaptations following short-term exercise prehabilitation in unfit patients scheduled to undergo hepatic or pancreatic surgery: study protocol of a multinuclear MRI study

INTRODUCTION

Short-term exercise prehabilitation programmes have demonstrated promising results in improving aerobic capacity of unfit patients prior to major abdominal surgery. However, little is known about the cardiac and skeletal muscle adaptations explaining the improvement in aerobic capacity following short-term exercise prehabilitation.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

In this single-centre study with a pretest-post-test design, 12 unfit patients with a preoperative oxygen uptake (VO2) at the ventilatory anaerobic threshold ≤13 mL/kg/min and/or VO2 at peak exercise ≤18 mL/kg/min, who are scheduled to undergo hepatopancreatobiliary surgery at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), the Netherlands, will be recruited. As part of standard care, unfit patients are advised to participate in a home-based exercise prehabilitation programme, comprising high-intensity interval training and functional exercises three times per week, combined with nutritional support, during a 4-week period. Pre-intervention and post-intervention, patients will complete a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Next to this, study participants will perform additional in-vivo exercise cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and phosphorus 31-MR spectroscopy of the quadriceps femoris muscle before and after the intervention to assess the effect on respectively cardiac and skeletal muscle function.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study was approved in May 2023 by the Medical Research Ethics Committee of the UMCG (registration number NL83611.042.23, March 2023) and is registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov register. Results of this study will be submitted for presentation at (inter)national congresses and publication in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05772819.

Effect of home-based prehabilitation on postoperative complications after surgery for gastric cancer: randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have demonstrated that prehabilitation improves patients' physical fitness but its impact on postoperative morbidity remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the effect of personalized, multimodal, semisupervised, home-based prehabilitation on postoperative complications after surgery for gastric cancer.

METHODS

This RCT was conducted at two centres in Lithuania. Patients (aged at least18 years) with gastric cancer scheduled to undergo elective primary surgery or surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer were randomized (1 : 1) to prehabilitation or standard care. Prehabilitation included exercise interventions focused on endurance, respiratory muscle strength, stretching, and resistance training as well as nutritional and psychological support. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with postoperative complications within 90 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes included 90-day mortality rate, physical condition, fitness level, nutritional status, quality of life, anxiety and depression level, and proportion of patients completing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Between February 2020 and September 2022, 128 participants were randomized to prehabilitation (64) or standard care (64), and 122 (prehabilitation 61, control 61) were analysed. The prehabilitation group had increased physical capacity before the operation compared with baseline (mean 6-min walk test change +31 (95 per cent c.i. 14 to 48) m; P = 0.001). The prehabilitation group had a decreased rate of non-compliance with neoadjuvant treatment (risk ratio (RR) 0.20, 95 per cent c.i. 0.20 to 0.56), a 60 per cent reduction in the number of patients with postoperative complications at 90 days after surgery (RR 0.40, 0.24 to 0.66), and improved quality of life compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

Prehabilitation reduced morbidity in patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04223401 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Home-based prehabilitation improves physical conditions measured by ergospirometry and 6MWT in colorectal cancer patients: a randomized controlled pilot study

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND

Prehabilitation aims to improve physical condition in the preoperative period and, therefore, decrease the loss of cardiopulmonary capacity postoperatively, with the aim of reducing complications and promoting an early recovery. This study aims to evaluate the impact of home-based prehabilitation on the physical condition of patients treated surgically for colorectal cancer.

METHODS

A prospective and randomized clinical study was conducted on 60 patients during two periods from October 2018 to February 2019 and from September 2019 to September 2020, in a single university hospital. Patients were randomized into two study groups (30 per group): prehabilitation vs. standard care. Changes in physical condition, measured at diagnosis, the day before surgery, and at 6-8 weeks after surgery using the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Prehabilitation reduced postoperative complications (17.4% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.22) and hospital stay (5.74 vs. 6.67 days, p = 0.30). 6MWT showed a significant improvement in the prehabilitation group (+78.9 m). Six weeks after surgery, prehabilitation showed a significant improvement in the 6MWT (+68.9 m vs. -27.2 m, p = 0.01). Significant differences were also observed in the ergospirometry between the diagnosis and postoperative study (+0.79 METs vs. -0.84 METs, p = 0.001). A strong correlation was observed between CPET and 6MWT (0.767 (p < 0.001)).

CONCLUSION

Home prehabilitation achieved lower overall postoperative complications than standard care and reached significant improvements in 6MWT and CET. A strong correlation was observed between CET and 6MWT, which allows validation of 6MWT as a valid and reliable measure of functional exercise capacity in colorectal patients when other, more specific and expensive tests are not available.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered in ClinicalTrials.gov in August 2018 with registration number https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03618329?cond=Prehabilitation%20cancer&term=arroyo&distance=50&rank=1  (NCT03618329). Initial results published in Supportive Care in Cancer: Effect of home-based prehabilitation in an enhanced recovery after surgery program for patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06343-1 .

Barriers and Facilitators of Surgical Prehabilitation Adherence from the Patient Perspective: a Mixed Method Study

BACKGROUND

Adherence to prehabilitation is crucial for optimal benefit, but reasons for low adherence to home-based programs remain unexplored. Our aim was to identify and explore barriers and facilitators to prehabilitation adherence among patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

METHODS

Nested in a single-center randomized controlled trial on prehabilitation (Perioperative Optimization With Enhanced Recovery (POWER)), this study had an explanatory sequential design with a connect integration. Patients randomized to the intervention arm were included in the quantitative analysis, and a subset of them was invited for a semi-structured interview. The exposure was the frequency of barriers to physical activity and healthy eating, and the outcome was adherence to those components of prehabilitation. Logistic or linear regression was used as appropriate.

RESULTS

Among 133 participants in the intervention arm, 116 (87.2%) completed the initial survey ((56.9% women, median age 61 years old (IQR 49.0; 69.4)). The most frequent barriers to exercise and healthy eating were medical issues (59%) and lack of motivation (31%), respectively. There was no significant association between the barriers to physical activity score and adherence to this component of the program (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.78-1.02, p=0.09). Higher barriers to healthy eating scores were associated with lower Mediterranean diet scores pre- and post-intervention (coef.: -0.32, 95% CI: -0.49; -0.15, p<0.001; and coef.: -0.27, 95% CI: -0.47; -0.07, p=0.01, respectively). Interviews with 15 participants revealed that participating in prehabilitation was a motivator for healthy eating and exercising through goal setting, time-efficient workouts, and promoting self-efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified key barriers to be addressed and facilitators to be leveraged in future prehabilitation programs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT04504266.

Impact of preoperative uni- or multimodal prehabilitation on postoperative morbidity: meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Postoperative complications occur in up to 43% of patients after surgery, resulting in increased morbidity and economic burden. Prehabilitation has the potential to increase patients' preoperative health status and thereby improve postoperative outcomes. However, reported results of prehabilitation are contradictory. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effects of prehabilitation on postoperative outcomes (postoperative complications, hospital length of stay, pain at postoperative day 1) in patients undergoing elective surgery.

METHODS

The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs published between January 2006 and June 2023 comparing prehabilitation programmes lasting ≥14 days to 'standard of care' (SOC) and reporting postoperative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Database searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO. The primary outcome examined was the effect of uni- or multimodal prehabilitation on 30-day complications. Secondary outcomes were length of ICU and hospital stay (LOS) and reported pain scores.

RESULTS

Twenty-five studies (including 2090 patients randomized in a 1:1 ratio) met the inclusion criteria. Average methodological study quality was moderate. There was no difference between prehabilitation and SOC groups in regard to occurrence of postoperative complications (OR = 1.02, 95% c.i. 0.93 to 1.13; P = 0.10; I2 = 34%), total hospital LOS (-0.13 days; 95% c.i. -0.56 to 0.28; P = 0.53; I2 = 21%) or reported postoperative pain. The ICU LOS was significantly shorter in the prehabilitation group (-0.57 days; 95% c.i. -1.10 to -0.04; P = 0.03; I2 = 46%). Separate comparison of uni- and multimodal prehabilitation showed no difference for either intervention.

CONCLUSION

Prehabilitation reduces ICU LOS compared with SOC in elective surgery patients but has no effect on overall complication rates or total LOS, regardless of modality. Prehabilitation programs need standardization and specific targeting of those patients most likely to benefit.

Comparative study using propensity score matching analysis in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer with or without multimodal prehabilitation

INTRODUCTION

The complication rate after major abdominal surgery is from 35 to 50%. The multimodal prehabilitation covers all the pre-operative problems to guarantee a faster recovery and reduce the rate of morbidity and mortality after a colorectal procedure.

METHODS

Observational study, in patients with CRC who underwent surgical treatment between November 2020 and September 2022. The data of the patients were placed in 2 groups: prehabilitation group (PPH) and no prehabilitation group (NPPH). Demographic data, type of cancer, operative data, and postoperative data were collected. Characteristics between the groups were compared after a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis for the detection of differences.

RESULTS

After the PSM analysis, 46 patients were in PPH, and 63 patients were in NPPH. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications (p = 0.192). The median of comprehensive complication index (CCI) was 0 (p = 0.552). Patients in the NPPH had more hospital readmissions (p = 0.273) and more emergency room visits (p = 0.092). Multivariate log binomial regression adjusted for complications showed that pre-habilitation reduces the risk of a pos-operative complication (OR: 0.659, 95%CI, 0.434-1.00, p = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

The postoperative complication rate and LOS were similar between patients who receive operative multimodal prehabilitation for CRC surgery and those who did not. Prehabilitation was associated with reduced risk of postoperative complication after multivariate log binomial regression adjusted for complications. Patients who underwent prehabilitation had a slightly lower tendency for postoperative ER visits and hospital readmissions.

Preoperative screening and prehabilitation strategies prior to ileocolic resection in patients with Crohn's disease are not incorporated in routine care

PURPOSE

Recently, recommendations on perioperative care have been published to optimize postoperative outcomes in preoperative patients with inflammatory bowel disease. This study evaluated the current use of preoperative screening and prehabilitation strategies (PS) prior to elective ileocolic resection (ICR) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD).

METHODS

Patients with CD who underwent an elective ICR were identified from a Dutch prospective cohort study. Primary endpoint was to evaluate to what extent IBD-relevant PS were applied in patients with CD prior to ICR according to the current recommendations.

RESULTS

In total, 109 CD patients were included. Screening of nutritional status was performed in 56% of the patients and revealed malnutrition in 46% of these patients. Of the malnourished patients, 46% was referred to a dietitian. Active smoking and alcohol consumption were reported in 20% and 28%; none of these patients were referred for a cessation program. A preoperative anemia was diagnosed in 61%, and ferritin levels were assessed in 26% of these patients. Iron therapy was started in 25% of the patients with an iron deficiency anemia. Exposure to corticosteroids at time of ICR was reported in 29% and weaned off in 3%. Consultation of a dietitian, psychologist, and physiotherapist was reported in 36%, 7%, and 3%. Physical fitness was assessed in none of the patients.

CONCLUSION

PS are not routinely applied and not individually tailored in the preoperative setting prior to elective ICR in patients with CD. Prior to implementation, future research on the costs and effectiveness of PS on postoperative outcomes and quality of life is necessary.

Scoping review on health-related physical fitness in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Assessment, interventions, and future directions

BACKGROUND

Reaching the Selecting Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Bowel Disease-II (STRIDE-II) therapeutic targets for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) requires an interdisciplinary approach. Lifestyle interventions focusing on enhancing and preserving health-related physical fitness (HRPF) may aid in improving subjective health, decreasing disability, or even controlling inflammation. However, ambiguity remains about the status and impact of HRPF (i.e. body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility) in IBD patients, hindering the development of physical activity and physical exercise training guidelines.

AIM

To review HRPF components in IBD patients and the impact of physical activity and physical exercise training interventions on HRPF.

METHODS

A systematic search in multiple databases was conducted for original studies that included patients with IBD, assessed one or more HRPF components, and/or evaluated physical activity or physical exercise training interventions.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight articles were included. No study examined the complete concept of HRPF, and considerable heterogeneity existed in assessment methods, with frequent use of non-validated tests. According to studies that used gold standard tests, cardiorespiratory fitness seemed to be reduced, but findings on muscular strength and endurance were inconsistent. A limited number of studies that evaluated physical activity or physical exercise training interventions reported effects on HRPF, overall showing a positive impact.

CONCLUSION

We performed a scoping review using a systematic and iterative approach to identify and synthesize an emerging body of literature on health-related physical fitness in patients with IBD, highlighting several research gaps and opportunities for future research. Findings of this review revealed a gap in the literature regarding the accurate assessment of HRPF in patients with IBD and highlighted important methodological limitations of studies that evaluated physical activity or physical exercise training interventions. This scoping review is a step towards performing studies and systematic reviews in the future, which was not possible at present given the heterogeneity in endpoints and designs of the available studies on this topic. Future well-designed studies are required to determine the optimal training paradigm for improving HRPF in patients with IBD before guidelines can be developed and integrated into the therapeutic strategy.

Multimodal prehabilitation to improve the clinical outcomes of frail elderly patients with gastric cancer: a study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial (GISSG+2201)

INTRODUCTION

Gastric cancer (GC) diagnosed in the elderly population has become a serious public health problem worldwide. Given the combined effects of frailty and the consequences of cancer treatment, older individuals with GC are more likely than young patients to suffer from postoperative complications and poor clinical outcomes. Nutrition, functional capacity and psychological state-based multimodal prehabilitation, which is dominated by Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway management, has been shown to reduce postoperative complications, promote functional recovery and decrease hospitalisation time in certain malignancies. However, no previous studies have investigated the clinical application of multimodal prehabilitation in frail older patients with GC.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The study is a prospective, multicentre randomised controlled trial in which a total of 368 participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomised into either a prehabilitation group or an ERAS group. The prehabilitation group will receive multimodal prehabilitation combined with ERAS at least 2 weeks before the gastrectomy is performed, including physical and respiratory training, nutritional support, and therapy and psychosocial treatment. The ERAS group patients will be treated according to the ERAS pathway. All interventions will be supervised by family members. The primary outcome measures are the incidence and severity of postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes include survival, functional capacity and other short-term postoperative outcomes. Overall, the multimodal prehabilitation protocol may improve functional capacity, reduce the surgical stress response and concomitant systemic inflammation, and potentially modulate the tumour microenvironment to improve short-term and long-term clinical outcomes and patients' quality of life.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

All procedures and participating centres of this study were approved by their respective ethics committees (QYFYKYLL 916111920). The final study results will be published separately in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05352802.

Prehabilitation for general surgery: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Prehabilitation seeks to optimize patient health before surgery to improve outcomes. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted on prehabilitation, however an updated synthesis of this evidence is required across General Surgery to inform potential Supplementary discipline-level protocols. Accordingly, this systematic review of RCTs aimed to evaluate the use of prehabilitation interventions across the discipline of General Surgery.

METHODS

This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023403289), and adhered to PRISMA 2020 and SWiM guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE and Ovid Embase were searched to 4 March 2023 for RCTs evaluating prehabilitation interventions within the discipline of General Surgery. After data extraction, risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Quantitative and qualitative data were synthesized and analysed. However, meta-analysis was precluded due to heterogeneity across included studies.

RESULTS

From 929 records, 36 RCTs of mostly low risk of bias were included. 17 (47.2%) were from Europe, and 14 (38.9%) North America. 30 (83.3%) investigated cancer populations. 31 (86.1%) investigated physical interventions, finding no significant difference in 16 (51.6%) and significant improvement in 14 (45.2%). Nine (25%) investigated psychological interventions: six (66.7%) found significant improvement, three (33.3%) found no significant difference. Five (13.9%) investigated nutritional interventions, finding no significant difference in three (60%), and significant improvement in two (40%).

CONCLUSIONS

Prehabilitation interventions showed mixed levels of effectiveness, and there is insufficient RCT evidence to suggest system-level delivery across General Surgery within standardized protocols. However, given potential benefits and non-inferiority to standard care, they should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Enhanced recovery after surgery, current, and future considerations in head and neck cancer

Objectives

Review of the current and relevant literature to develop a list of evidence-based recommendations that can be implemented in head and neck surgical practices. To provide rationale for the multiple aspects of comprehensive care for head and neck surgical patients. To improve postsurgical outcomes for head and neck surgical patients.

Methods

Extensive review of the medical literature was performed and relevant studies in both the head and neck surgery and other surgical specialties were considered for inclusion.

Results

A total of 18 aspects of perioperative care were included in this review. The literature search included 276 publications considered to be the most relevant and up to date evidence. Each topic is concluded with recommendation grade and quality of evidence for the recommendation.

Conclusion

Since it's conception, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have continued to push for comprehensive and evidence based postsurgical care to improve patient outcomes. Head and neck oncology is one of the newest fields to develop a protocol. Due to the complexity of this patient population and their postsurgical needs, a multidisciplinary approach is needed to facilitate recovery while minimizing complications. Current and future advances in head and neck cancer research will serve to strengthen and add new principles to a comprehensive ERAS protocol.

Level of Evidence

2a.

Supervised Home-Based Exercise Prehabilitation in Unfit Patients Scheduled for Pancreatic Surgery: Protocol for a Multicenter Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND

Morbidity rates in pancreatic surgery are high, and frail patients with low aerobic capacity are especially at risk of complications and require prophylactic interventions. Previous studies of small patient cohorts receiving intra-abdominal surgery have shown that an exercise prehabilitation program increases aerobic capacity, leading to better treatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aim to assess the feasibility of a home-based exercise prehabilitation program in unfit patients scheduled for pancreatic surgery on a larger scale.

METHODS

In this multicenter study, adult patients scheduled for elective pancreatic surgery with a preoperative oxygen uptake (VO2) at the ventilatory anaerobic threshold ≤13 mL/kg/min or a VO2 at peak exercise ≤18 mL/kg/min will be recruited. A total of 30 patients will be included in the 4-week, home-based, partly supervised exercise prehabilitation program. The program comprises 25-minute high-intensity interval training on an advanced cycle ergometer 3 times a week. Training intensity will be based on steep ramp test performance (ie, a short-term maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer), aiming to improve aerobic capacity. Twice a week, patients will perform functional task exercises to improve muscle function and functional mobility. A steep ramp test will be repeated weekly, and training intensity will be adjusted accordingly. Next to assessing the feasibility (participation rate, reasons for nonparticipation, adherence, dropout rate, reasons for dropout, adverse events, and patient and therapist appreciation) of this program, individual patients' responses to prehabilitation on aerobic capacity, functional mobility, body composition, quality of life, and immune system factors will be evaluated.

RESULTS

Recruitment for this study began in January 2022 and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2023.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study will provide important clinical and scientific knowledge on the feasibility of a partly supervised home-based exercise prehabilitation program in a vulnerable patient population. This might ease the path to implementing prehabilitation programs in unfit patients undergoing complex abdominal surgery, such as pancreatic surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05496777; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05496777.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/46526.

Prognostic Value of Artificial Intelligence-Driven, Computed Tomography-Based, Volumetric Assessment of the Volume and Density of Muscle in Patients With Colon Cancer

OBJECTIVE

The prognostic value of the volume and density of skeletal muscles in the abdominal waist of patients with colon cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between the automated computed tomography (CT)-based volume and density of the muscle in the abdominal waist and survival outcomes in patients with colon cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 474 patients with colon cancer who underwent surgery with curative intent between January 2010 and October 2017. Volumetric skeletal muscle index and muscular density were measured at the abdominal waist using artificial intelligence (AI)-based volumetric segmentation of body composition on preoperative pre-contrast CT images. Patients were grouped based on their skeletal muscle index (sarcopenia vs. not) and muscular density (myosteatosis vs. not) values and combinations (normal, sarcopenia alone, myosteatosis alone, and combined sarcopenia and myosteatosis). Postsurgical disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using univariable and multivariable analyses, including multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression.

RESULTS

Univariable analysis showed that DFS and OS were significantly worse for the sarcopenia group than for the non-sarcopenia group (P = 0.044 and P = 0.003, respectively, by log-rank test) and for the myosteatosis group than for the non-myosteatosis group (P < 0.001 by log-rank test for all). In the multivariable analysis, the myosteatotic muscle type was associated with worse DFS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.89 [95% confidence interval, 1.25-2.86]; P = 0.003) and OS (aHR, 1.90 [95% confidence interval, 1.84-3.04]; P = 0.008) than the normal muscle type. The combined muscle type showed worse OS than the normal muscle type (aHR, 1.95 [95% confidence interval, 1.08-3.54]; P = 0.027).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative volumetric sarcopenia and myosteatosis, automatically assessed from pre-contrast CT scans using AI-based software, adversely affect survival outcomes in patients with colon cancer.

Perioperative Pulmonary Complications in the Elderly: The Forgotten System

With a rapidly aging population and increasing global surgical volumes, managing the elevated risk of perioperative pulmonary complications has become an expanding focus for quality improvement in health care. In this narrative review, we will analyze the evidence-based literature to provide high-quality and actionable management strategies to better detect, stratify risk, optimize, and manage perioperative pulmonary complications in geriatric populations.

Postponing surgery to optimise patients with acute right-sided obstructing colon cancer - A pilot study

BACKGROUND

Right-sided obstructing colon cancer is most often treated with acute resection. Recent studies on right-sided obstructing colon cancer report higher mortality and morbidity rates than those in patients without obstruction. The aim of this study is to retrospectively analyse whether it is possible to optimise the health condition of patients with acute right-sided obstructing colon cancer, prior to surgery, and whether this improves postoperative outcomes.

METHOD

All consecutive patients with high suspicion of, or histologically proven, right-sided obstructing colon cancer, treated with curative intent between March 2013 and December 2019, were analysed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups: optimised group and non-optimised group. Pre-operative optimisation included additional nutrition, physiotherapy, and, if needed, bowel decompression.

RESULTS

In total, 54 patients were analysed in this study. Twenty-four patients received optimisation before elective surgery, and thirty patients received emergency surgery, without optimisation. Scheduled surgery was performed after a median of eight days (IQR 7-12). Postoperative complications were found in twelve (50%) patients in the optimised group, compared to twenty-three (77%) patients in the non-optimised group (p = 0.051). Major complications were diagnosed in three (13%) patients with optimisation, compared to ten (33%) patients without optimisation (p = 0.111). Postoperative in-hospital stay, 30-day mortality, as well as primary anastomosis were comparable in both groups.

CONCLUSION

This pilot study suggests that pre-operative optimisation of patients with obstructing right sided colonic cancer may be feasible and safe but is associated with longer in-patient stay.

Reporting quality of randomized controlled trials in prehabilitation: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Inadequate study reporting precludes interpretation of findings, pooling of results in meta-analyses, and delays knowledge translation. While prehabilitation interventions aim to enhance candidacy for surgery, to our knowledge, a review of the quality of reporting in prehabilitation has yet to be conducted. Our objective was to determine the extent to which randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of prehabilitation are reported according to methodological and intervention reporting checklists.

METHODS

Eligibility criteria: RCTs of unimodal or multimodal prehabilitation interventions.

SOURCES OF EVIDENCE

search was conducted in March 2022 using MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane.

CHARTING METHODS

identified studies were compared to CONSORT, CERT & Modified CERT, TIDieR, PRESENT, and CONSORT-SPI. An agreement ratio (AR) was defined to evaluate if applicable guideline items were correctly reported. Data were analyzed as frequency (n, %) and mean with standard deviation (SD).

RESULTS

We identified 935 unique articles and included 70 trials published from 1994 to 2022. Most prehabilitation programs comprised exercise-only interventions (n = 40, 57%) and were applied before oncologic surgery (n = 32, 46%). The overall mean AR was 57% (SD: 20.9%). The specific mean ARs were as follows: CONSORT: 71% (SD: 16.3%); TIDieR: 62% (SD:17.7%); CERT: 54% (SD: 16.6%); Modified-CERT: 40% (SD:17.8%); PRESENT: 78% (SD: 8.9); and CONSORT-SPI: 47% (SD: 22.1).

CONCLUSION

Altogether, existing prehabilitation trials report approximately half of the checklist items recommended by methodological and intervention reporting guidelines. Reporting practices may improve with the development of a reporting checklist specific to prehabilitation interventions.

Prehabilitation in the lung cancer pathway: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the UK. Treatment outcomes are poor and UK deaths from lung cancer are higher than any other cancer. Prehabilitation has shown to be an important means of preparing patients both physically and psychologically for cancer treatment. However, little is understood about the context and mechanisms of prehabilitation that can impact physiological and psychological wellbeing. Our aim was to review and summarise primary research on prehabilitation in the lung cancer pathway using a realist approach.

METHODS

A scoping review of empirical primary research was conducted. Five online medical databases from 2016 - February 2023 were searched. All articles reporting on prehabilitation in lung cancer were included in the review. For this review, prehabilitation was defined as either a uni-modal or multi-modal intervention including exercise, nutrition and/or psychosocial support within a home, community or hospital based setting. A realist framework of context, mechanism and outcome was used to assist with the interpretation of findings.

RESULTS

In total, 31 studies were included in the review, of which, three were published study protocols. Over 95% of studies featured an exercise component as part of a prehabilitation programme. Twenty-six of the studies had a surgical focus. Only two studies reported using theory to underpin the design of this complex intervention. There was large heterogeneity across all studies as well as a lack of clinical trials to provide definitive evidence on the programme design, setting, type of intervention, patient criteria, delivery, duration and outcome measures used.

CONCLUSION

A standardised prehabilitation programme for lung cancer patients does not yet exist. Future lung cancer prehabilitation programmes should take into account patient led values, needs, goals, support structures and beliefs, as these factors can affect the delivery and engagement of interventions. Future research should consider using a conceptual framework to conceptualise the living with and beyond cancer experience to help shape and inform personalised prehabilitation services.

Advances in the Management of Acute Postsurgical Pain: A Review

Despite the millions of surgeries performed every year around the world, postoperative pain remains prevalent and is often addressed with inadequate or suboptimal treatments. Chronic postsurgical pain is surprisingly prevalent, and its rate varies with the type of surgery, as well as with certain patient characteristics. Thus, better clinical training is needed as well as patient education. As pain can be caused by more than one mechanism, multimodal or balanced postsurgical analgesia is appropriate. Pharmacological agents such as opioid and nonopioid pain relievers, as well as adjuvants and nonpharmacologic approaches, can be combined to provide better and opioid-sparing pain relief. Many specialty societies have guidelines for postoperative pain management that emphasize multimodal postoperative analgesia. These guidelines are particularly helpful when dealing with special populations such as pregnant patients or infants and children. Pediatric pain control, in particular, can be challenging as patients may be unable to communicate their pain levels. A variety of validated assessment tools are available for diagnosis. Related to therapy, most guidelines agree on the fact that codeine should be used with extreme caution in pediatric patients as some may be "rapid metabolizers" and its use may be life-threatening. Prehabilitation is a preoperative approach that prepares patients in advance of elective surgery with conditioning exercises and other interventions to optimize their health. Prehabilitation may have aerobic, strength-training, nutritional, and counseling components. Logistical considerations and degree of patient adherence represent barriers to effective prehabilitation programs. Notwithstanding all this, acute postoperative pain represents a clinical challenge that has not yet been well addressed.

Survival in relation to time to start of curative treatment of colon cancer: A national register-based observational noninferiority study

AIM

There are ample discussions regarding the timing of treatment, especially in the era after Covid that caused delay to treatment. The aim of this study was to determine whether a delayed start to curative treatment, within 29-56 days after a diagnosis of colon cancer, was noninferior to starting treatment within 28 days, with regard to all-cause mortality.

METHOD

This is a national register-based observational noninferiority study, with a noninferiority margin of hazard ratio (HR) 1.1, including all patients treated with curative intent for colon cancer in Sweden between 2008 and 2016. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay, readmissions and reoperations within 1 year after surgery. Exclusion criteria were emergency surgery, disseminated disease at diagnosis, missing diagnosis date and treatment for another cancer 5 years before colon cancer diagnosis.

RESULTS

A total of 20 836 individuals were included. A period of 29-56 days from diagnosis to start of curative treatment was noninferior versus starting treatment within 28 days for the primary outcome of all-cause mortality (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.89-1.00). Starting treatment within 29-56 days was associated with a shorter length of stay (average 9.2 vs. 10 days) but a higher risk of reoperation compared to within 28 days. Post hoc analyses demonstrated that surgical modality was driving survival rather than time to treatment. Overall survival was greater after laparoscopic surgery (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.69-0.88).

CONCLUSION

For patients with colon cancer, a period of up to 56 days from diagnosis to the start of curative treatment did not lead to worse overall survival.

Nutrition support in pancreatic cancer: An expert statement on practical implementation of French guidelines

The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) guidelines, shortened in 2021, are widely used for providing the most suitable nutrition support to patients with cancer. However, there is a lack of specialized guidelines for different cancer types. In 2020, members of the French medical and surgical societies involved in digestive oncology, nutrition and supportive care developed the Thésaurus National de Cancérologie Digestive (TNCD) practice guidelines which are specific nutritional and physical activity guidelines for patients with digestive cancers. These guidelines were recently updated in 2022. This review discusses the French intergroup guidelines, specifically in the context of pancreatic cancer at different stages of the disease. Pancreatic cancer is highly prevalent in Europe, with an increasing worldwide incidence over the last three decades. In France alone, about 14,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer are reported annually. More than 60% of patients with pancreatic cancer reportedly experience malnutrition and other nutritional issues which are known to have a negative impact on quality of life, treatment tolerability, general morbidity, and mortality. Given that the recommendations of TNCD guidelines correlate to other guidelines like the International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS; for the perioperative setting), ESPEN and Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) guidelines, their use can be suitably applied in other European countries. This review discusses the recommendations issued by nutrition guidelines, the challenges with effective integration of nutrition support in oncologic treatment, and the proposed algorithms on patient care pathways for pancreatic cancer management in the clinical setting.

The effect of preoperative behaviour change interventions on pre- and post-surgery health behaviours, health outcomes, and health inequalities in adults: A systematic review and meta-analyses

BACKGROUND

Prehabilitation interventions are being delivered across surgical specialities to improve health risk behaviours leading to better surgical outcomes and potentially reduce length of hospital stay. Most previous research has focused on specific surgery specialities and has not considered the impact of interventions on health inequalities, nor whether prehabilitation improves health behaviour risk profiles beyond surgery. The aim of this review was to examine behavioural Prehabilitation interventions across surgeries to inform policy makers and commissioners of the best available evidence.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to determine the effect of behavioural prehabilitation interventions targeting at least one of: smoking behaviour, alcohol use, physical activity, dietary intake (including weight loss interventions) on pre- and post-surgery health behaviours, health outcomes, and health inequalities. The comparator was usual care or no treatment. MEDLINE, PubMed, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Clinical trials and Embase databases were searched from inception to May 2021, and the MEDLINE search was updated twice, most recently in March 2023. Two reviewers independently identified eligible studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Outcomes were length of stay, six-minute walk test, behaviours (smoking, diet, physical activity, weight change, and alcohol), and quality of life. Sixty-seven trials were included; 49 interventions targeted a single behaviour and 18 targeted multiple behaviours. No trials examined effects by equality measures. Length of stay in the intervention group was 1.5 days shorter than the comparator (n = 9 trials, 95% CI -2.6 to -0.4, p = 0.01, I2 83%), although in sensitivity analysis prehabilitation had the most impact in lung cancer patients (-3.5 days). Pre-surgery, there was a mean difference of 31.8 m in the six-minute walk test favouring the prehabilitation group (n = 19 trials, 95% CI 21.2 to 42.4m, I2 55%, P <0.001) and this was sustained to 4-weeks post-surgery (n = 9 trials, mean difference = 34.4m (95%CI 12.8 to 56.0, I2 72%, P = 0.002)). Smoking cessation was greater in the prehabilitation group before surgery (RR 2.9, 95% CI 1.7 to 4.8, I2 84%), and this was sustained at 12 months post-surgery (RR 1.74 (95% CI 1.20 to 2.55, I2 43%, Tau2 0.09, p = 0.004)There was no difference in pre-surgery quality of life (n = 12 trials) or BMI (n = 4 trials).

CONCLUSIONS

Behavioural prehabilitation interventions reduced length of stay by 1.5 days, although in sensitivity analysis the difference was only found for Prehabilitation interventions for lung cancer. Prehabilitation can improve functional capacity and smoking outcomes just before surgery. That improvements in smoking outcomes were sustained at 12-months post-surgery suggests that the surgical encounter holds promise as a teachable moment for longer-term behavioural change. Given the paucity of data on the effects on other behavioural risk factors, more research grounded in behavioural science and with longer-term follow-up is needed to further investigate this potential.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing before and after intravenous iron in preoperative patients: a prospective clinical study

BACKGROUND

Anemia is associated with impaired physical performance and adverse perioperative outcomes. Iron-deficiency anemia is increasingly treated with intravenous iron before elective surgery. We explored the relationship between exercise capacity, anemia, and total hemoglobin mass (tHb-mass) and the response to intravenous iron in anemic patients prior to surgery.

METHODS

A prospective clinical study was undertaken in patients having routine cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) with a hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) < 130 g^.l^-1 and iron deficiency/depletion. Patients underwent CPET and tHb-mass measurements before and a minimum of 14 days after receiving intravenous (i.v.) Ferric derisomaltose (Monofer®) at the baseline visit. Comparative analysis of hematological and CPET variables was performed pre and post-iron treatment.

RESULTS

Twenty-six subjects were recruited, of whom 6 withdrew prior to study completion. The remaining 20 (9 [45%] male; mean ± SD age 68 ± 10 years) were assessed 25 ± 7 days between baseline and the final visit. Following i.v. iron, increases were seen in [Hb] (mean ± SD) from 109 ± 14 to 116 ± 12 g l^-1 (mean rise 6.4% or 7.3 g l^-1, p =  < 0.0001, 95% CI 4.5-10.1); tHb-mass from 497 ± 134 to 546 ± 139 g (mean rise 9.3% or 49 g, p =  < 0.0001, 95% CI 29.4-69.2). Oxygen consumption at anerobic threshold ([Formula: see text] O_{2 AT}) did not change (9.1 ± 1.7 to 9.8 ± 2.5 ml kg^-1 min^-1, p = 0.09, 95% CI - 0.13 - 1.3). Peak oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text] O_{2 peak}) increased from 15.2 ± 4.1 to 16 ± 4.4 ml^.kg^.-1 min^-1, p = 0.02, 95% CI 0.2-1.8) and peak work rate increased from 93 [67-112] watts to 96 [68-122] watts (p = 0.02, 95% CI 1.3-10.8).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative administration of intravenous iron to iron-deficient/deplete anemic patients is associated with increases in [Hb], tHb-mass, peak oxygen consumption, and peak work rate. Further appropriately powered prospective studies are required to ascertain whether improvements in tHb-mass and performance in turn lead to reductions in perioperative morbidity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT 033 46213.

The value of perioperative physical activity in older patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

With a median age at diagnosis of 70, lung cancer represents an enormous public health problem among older Americans. An estimated 19,000 people age 65 and older undergo lung cancer surgery annually in the US. Older adults undergoing lung cancer surgery are often frail with limited physiologic reserves, multi-morbidities, and functional impairments. Physical function, dyspnea, and quality of life return to baseline slower in older adults compared with younger adults after lung surgery.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we summarize available data about perioperative physical activity interventions that may improve outcomes for older adults undergoing lung cancer surgery. We also review the limitations of existing studies and discuss emerging data on the roles of telehealth and family caregiver inclusion in peri-operative physical activity interventions.

EXPERT OPINION

We propose that future perioperative physical activity interventions in older adults undergoing lung cancer surgery should include a comprehensive geriatric assessment to guide personalized interventions. Interventions should be conceptually based, with a focus on enhancing self-efficacy, motivation, and adherence through classic behavior change strategies that are proven to impact outcomes. Finally, interventions should be designed with attention to feasibility and scalability. Exercise programs delivered via telehealth (telephone or tele-video) may improve access and convenience for patients.

A toolbox for a structured risk-based prehabilitation program in major surgical oncology

Prehabilitation is a multimodal concept to improve functional capability prior to surgery, so that the patients' resilience is strengthened to withstand any peri- and postoperative comorbidity. It covers physical activities, nutrition, and psychosocial wellbeing. The literature is heterogeneous in outcomes and definitions. In this scoping review, class 1 and 2 evidence was included to identify seven main aspects of prehabilitation for the treatment pathway: (i) risk assessment, (ii) FITT (frequency, interventions, time, type of exercise) principles of prehabilitation exercise, (iii) outcome measures, (iv) nutrition, (v) patient blood management, (vi) mental wellbeing, and (vii) economic potential. Recommendations include the risk of tumor progression due to delay of surgery. Patients undergoing prehabilitation should perceive risk assessment by structured, quantifiable, and validated tools like Risk Analysis Index, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), American Society of Anesthesiology Score, or Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group scoring. Assessments should be repeated to quantify its effects. The most common types of exercise include breathing exercises and moderate- to high-intensity interval protocols. The program should have a duration of 3-6 weeks with 3-4 exercises per week that take 30-60 min. The 6-Minute Walking Testing is a valid and resource-saving tool to assess changes in aerobic capacity. Long-term assessment should include standardized outcome measurements (overall survival, 90-day survival, Dindo-Clavien/CCI®) to monitor the potential of up to 50% less morbidity. Finally, individual cost-revenue assessment can help assess health economics, confirming the hypothetic saving of $8 for treatment for $1 spent for prehabilitation. These recommendations should serve as a toolbox to generate hypotheses, discussion, and systematic approaches to develop clinical prehabilitation standards.

A Practice-Proven Adaptive Case Management Approach for Innovative Health Care Services (Health Circuit): Cluster Randomized Clinical Pilot and Descriptive Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Digital health tools may facilitate the continuity of care. Enhancement of digital aid is imperative to prevent information gaps or redundancies, as well as to facilitate support of flexible care plans.

OBJECTIVE

The study presents Health Circuit, an adaptive case management approach that empowers health care professionals and patients to implement personalized evidence-based interventions, thanks to dynamic communication channels and patient-centered service workflows; analyze the health care impact; and determine its usability and acceptability among health care professionals and patients.

METHODS

From September 2019 to March 2020, the health impact, usability (measured with the system usability scale; SUS), and acceptability (measured with the net promoter score; NPS) of an initial prototype of Health Circuit were tested in a cluster randomized clinical pilot (n=100) in patients with high risk for hospitalization (study 1). From July 2020 to July 2021, a premarket pilot study of usability (with the SUS) and acceptability (with the NPS) was conducted among 104 high-risk patients undergoing prehabilitation before major surgery (study 2).

RESULTS

In study 1, Health Circuit resulted in a reduction of emergency room visits (4/7, 13% vs 7/16, 44%), enhanced patients' empowerment (P<.001) and showed good acceptability and usability scores (NPS: 31; SUS: 54/100). In study 2, the NPS was 40 and the SUS was 85/100. The acceptance rate was also high (mean score of 8.4/10).

CONCLUSIONS

Health Circuit showed potential for health care value generation and good acceptability and usability despite being a prototype system, prompting the need for testing a completed system in real-world scenarios.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04056663; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04056663.

Barriers and facilitators to participation in exercise prehabilitation before cancer surgery for older adults with frailty: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Older adults with frailty are at an increased risk of adverse outcomes after surgery. Exercise before surgery (exercise prehabilitation) may reduce adverse events and improve recovery after surgery. However, adherence with exercise therapy is often low, especially in older populations. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively assess the barriers and facilitators to participating in exercise prehabilitation from the perspective of older people with frailty participating in the intervention arm of a randomized trial.

METHODS

This was a research ethics approved, nested descriptive qualitative study within a randomized controlled trial of home-based exercise prehabilitation vs. standard care with older patients (≥ 60 years) having elective cancer surgery, and who were living with frailty (Clinical Frailty Scale ≥ 4). The intervention was a home-based prehabilitation program for at least 3 weeks before surgery that involved aerobic activity, strength and stretching, and nutritional advice. After completing the prehabilitation program, participants were asked to partake in a semi-structured interview informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Qualitative analysis was guided by the TDF.

RESULTS

Fifteen qualitative interviews were completed. Facilitators included: 1) the program being manageable and suitable to older adults with frailty, 2) adequate resources to support engagement, 3) support from others, 4) a sense of control, intrinsic value, noticing progress and improving health outcomes and 5) the program was enjoyable and facilitated by previous experience. Barriers included: 1) pre-existing conditions, fatigue and baseline fitness, 2) weather, and 3) guilt and frustration when unable to exercise. A need for individualization and variety was offered as a suggestion by participants and was therefore described as both a barrier and facilitator.

CONCLUSIONS

Home-based exercise prehabilitation is feasible and acceptable to older people with frailty preparing for cancer surgery. Participants identified that a home-based program was manageable, easy to follow with helpful resources, included valuable support from the research team, and they reported self-perceived health benefits and a sense of control over their health. Future studies and implementation should consider increased personalization based on health and fitness, psychosocial support and modifications to aerobic exercises in response to adverse weather conditions.

Efficacy of supervised exercise prehabilitation programs to improve major abdominal surgery outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The optimal package of components for a prehabilitation intervention remains unclear. The aim was to determine the efficacy of supervised exercise prehabilitation programs to enhance patient fitness and improve surgical outcomes. The protocol was preregistered (PROSPERO: CRD42020180693). PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, AMED, CENTRAL, PeDro, ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of supervised prehabilitation programs before major abdominal surgery were included. Physical function, cardiorespiratory capacity and surgical outcomes were the primary outcomes measures. Risk of bias was assessed according to the Cochrane Risk of Bias 1.0 tool for RCTs. Data are summarized narratively, and where possible, quantitavely. Meta-analyses results are reported as risk ratios (RR), mean difference of changes between baseline and follow-up time points or mean difference between groups and 95% confidence interval (CI). Twenty RCTs were included in the analysis with a total of 1258 patients. The average 6-min walking distance change was +33 m in the prehabilitation group compared to the usual care (UC) group after prehabilitation (95% CI: [13, 53], P < 0.01). Only in studies with more than one supervised session per week changes in 6-min-walk distance were significantly higher in the prehabilitation group compared to the UC group after prehabiliatation (Mean difference: 47 m, 95% [CI]: [20-75], P < 0.01). The change in peak volume of oxygen uptake during a maximum cardiopulmonary test was +1.47 mL·kg^-1·min^-1 in the prehabilitation group compared to the UC group (95% CI: [0.68, 2.25], P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the change in oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold between groups (Mean differences: 0.47, 95% CI: [-0.16, 1.10], P:0.14). Post-operative complications incidence was similar between groups (RR: 0.80, 95% CI: [0.61, 1.05], P:0.11), irrespective of the frequency of supervised session per week (RR: 0.67, 95% CI: [0.43, 1.03], P:0.07). In conclusion, prehabilitation programmes with more than one supervised session per week improved physical function but did not enhance surgical outcomes.

Exercise prehabilitation for patients with end-stage liver disease: a best practice implementation project

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to promote exercise prehabilitation in patients with end-stage liver disease during their waiting period for liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION

End-stage liver disease indirectly contributes to the development of sarcopenia and affects survival after liver transplantation because of low physiological reserves and insufficient aerobic capacity while awaiting transplantation. Exercise prehabilitation could reduce postoperative complications and promote postoperative recovery.

METHODS

Following the JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System, this study used six audit criteria derived from the JBI Evidence Summary. A baseline audit of six patients and nine nurses was conducted, analyzed barriers, established a prehabilitation process and improved interventions, followed by the implementation of exercise prehabilitation and follow-up audit.

RESULTS

In the baseline audit, the results of the six criteria [(1) multimodal prehabilitation that includes exercise and other interventions where appropriate is offered to patients scheduled for abdominal surgery; (2) prior to the commencement of an exercise program an assessment of exercise contraindications, health status, treatments, physical activity level, functional capacity and quality of life is completed; (3) exercise programs are designed by appropriately qualified personnel; (4) exercise is delivered and supervised by appropriately qualified personnel; (5) exercise prescription is tailored to each individual patient; and (6) patient response to exercise is monitored throughout prehabilitation] were 0-22%. After implementing the best-practice strategies, all six criteria were set to 100%. Patients were aware of and had high compliance with exercise prehabilitation, nurses' and patients' knowledge of exercise rehabilitation improved, and nurses' implementation rate was significantly higher than before implementation ( P  < 0.05). The differences in the 6 min walking distance and Borg Fatigue Score between the preimplementation and postimplementation were statistically significant (all P  < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This best-practice implementation project is feasible. These results indicate that exercise prehabilitation could improve the preoperative walking capacity and fatigue of patients with end-stage liver disease. Ongoing best practices will be expected to develop in the future.

Effect of Multimodal Prehabilitation on Reducing Postoperative Complications and Enhancing Functional Capacity Following Colorectal Cancer Surgery: The PREHAB Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Colorectal surgery is associated with substantial morbidity rates and a lowered functional capacity. Optimization of the patient's condition in the weeks prior to surgery may attenuate these unfavorable sequelae.

Objective

To determine whether multimodal prehabilitation before colorectal cancer surgery can reduce postoperative complications and enhance functional recovery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The PREHAB randomized clinical trial was an international, multicenter trial conducted in teaching hospitals with implemented enhanced recovery after surgery programs. Adult patients with nonmetastasized colorectal cancer were assessed for eligibility and randomized to either prehabilitation or standard care. Both arms received standard perioperative care. Patients were enrolled from June 2017 to December 2020, and follow-up was completed in December 2021. However, this trial was prematurely stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interventions

The 4-week in-hospital supervised multimodal prehabilitation program consisted of a high-intensity exercise program 3 times per week, a nutritional intervention, psychological support, and a smoking cessation program when needed.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) score, number of patients with CCI score more than 20, and improved walking capacity expressed as the 6-minute walking distance 4 weeks postoperatively.

Results

In the intention-to-treat population of 251 participants (median [IQR] age, 69 [60-76] years; 138 [55%] male), 206 (82%) had tumors located in the colon and 234 (93%) underwent laparoscopic- or robotic-assisted surgery. The number of severe complications (CCI score >20) was significantly lower favoring prehabilitation compared with standard care (21 of 123 [17.1%] vs 38 of 128 [29.7%]; odds ratio, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.26-0.87]; P = .02). Participants in prehabilitation encountered fewer medical complications (eg, respiratory) compared with participants receiving standard care (19 of 123 [15.4%] vs 35 of 128 [27.3%]; odds ratio, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.26-0.89]; P = .02). Four weeks after surgery, 6-minute walking distance did not differ significantly between groups when compared with baseline (mean difference prehabilitation vs standard care 15.6 m [95% CI, -1.4 to 32.6]; P = .07). Secondary parameters of functional capacity in the postoperative period generally favored prehabilitation compared with standard care.

Conclusions and Relevance

This PREHAB trial demonstrates the benefit of a multimodal prehabilitation program before colorectal cancer surgery as reflected by fewer severe and medical complications postoperatively and an optimized postoperative recovery compared with standard care.

Trial Registration

trialregister.nl Identifier: NTR5947.

Association of Preoperative High-Intensity Interval Training With Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Postoperative Outcomes Among Adults Undergoing Major Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Importance

Preoperative high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is associated with improved cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and may improve surgical outcomes.

Objective

To summarize data from studies comparing the association of preoperative HIIT vs standard hospital care with preoperative CRF and postoperative outcomes.

Data Sources

Data sources included Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Library, and Scopus databases with no language constraints, including abstracts and articles published before May 2023.

Study Selection

The databases were searched for randomized clinical trials and prospective cohort studies with HIIT protocols in adult patients undergoing major surgery. Thirty-four of 589 screened studies met initial selection criteria.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

A meta-analysis was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data were extracted by multiple independent observers and pooled in a random-effects model.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was change in CRF, as measured by either peak oxygen consumption (V̇o2 peak) or 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) distance. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications; hospital length of stay (LOS); and changes in quality of life, anaerobic threshold, and peak power output.

Results

Twelve eligible studies including 832 patients were identified. Pooled results indicated several positive associations for HIIT when compared with standard care either on CRF (V̇o2 peak, 6MWT, anaerobic threshold, or peak power output) or postoperative outcomes (complications, LOS, quality of life), although there was significant heterogeneity in study results. In 8 studies including 627 patients, there was moderate-quality evidence of significant improvement in V̇o2 peak (cumulative mean difference, 2.59 mL/kg/min; 95% CI, 1.52-3.65 mL/kg/min; P < .001). In 8 studies including 770 patients, there was moderate-quality evidence of a significant reduction in complications (odds ratio, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.32-0.60; P < .001). There was no evidence that HIIT differed from standard care in hospital LOS (cumulative mean difference, -3.06 days; 95% CI, -6.41 to 0.29 days; P = .07). The analysis showed a high degree of heterogeneity in study outcomes and an overall low risk of bias.

Conclusions and Relevance

The results of this meta-analysis suggest that preoperative HIIT may be beneficial for surgical populations through the improvement of exercise capacity and reduced postoperative complications. These findings support including HIIT in prehabilitation programs before major surgery. The high degree of heterogeneity in both exercise protocols and study results supports the need for further prospective, well-designed studies.

State of the art: Proceedings of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery Summit

Despite the benefits established for multiple surgical specialties, enhanced recovery after surgery has been underused in cardiac surgery. A cardiac enhanced recovery after surgery summit was convened at the 102nd American Association for Thoracic Surgery annual meeting in May 2022 for experts to convey key enhanced recovery after surgery concepts, best practices, and applicable results for cardiac surgery. Topics included implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery, prehabilitation and nutrition, rigid sternal fixation, goal-directed therapy, and multimodal pain management.

Multimodal Prehabilitation in Heart Transplant Recipients Improves Short-Term Post-Transplant Outcomes without Increasing Costs

(1) Background and aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of prehabilitation on the postoperative outcomes of heart transplantation and its cost-effectiveness. (2) Methods: This single-center, ambispective cohort study included forty-six candidates for elective heart transplantation from 2017 to 2021 attending a multimodal prehabilitation program consisting of supervised exercise training, physical activity promotion, nutritional optimization, and psychological support. The postoperative course was compared to a control cohort consisting of patients transplanted from 2014 to 2017 and those contemporaneously not involved in prehabilitation. (3) Results: A significant improvement was observed in preoperative functional capacity (endurance time 281 vs. 728 s, p < 0.001) and quality-of-life (Minnesota score 58 vs. 47, p = 0.046) after the program. No exercise-related events were registered. The prehabilitation cohort showed a lower rate and severity of postoperative complications (comprehensive complication index 37 vs. 31, p = 0.033), lower mechanical ventilation time (37 vs. 20 h, p = 0.032), ICU stay (7 vs. 5 days, p = 0.01), total hospitalization stay (23 vs. 18 days, p = 0.008) and less need for transfer to nursing/rehabilitation facilities after hospital discharge (31% vs. 3%, p = 0.009). A cost-consequence analysis showed that prehabilitation did not increase the total surgical process costs. (4) Conclusions: Multimodal prehabilitation before heart transplantation has benefits on short-term postoperative outcomes potentially attributable to enhancement of physical status, without cost-increasing.

Preoptimisation in patients with acute obstructive colon cancer (PREOCC) - a prospective registration study protocol

BACKGROUND

Postoperative mortality and morbidity rates are high in patients with obstructing colon cancer (OCC). Different treatment options have been evaluated over the years, mainly for left sided OCC. Optimising the preoperative health condition in elective colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment shows promising results. The aim of this study is to determine whether preoptimisation is feasible in patients with OCC, with a special interest/focus on right-sided OCC, and if, ultimately, optimisation reduces mortality and morbidity (stoma rates, major and minor complications) rates in OCC.

METHODS

This is a prospective registration study including all patients presenting with OCC in our hospital. Patients with OCC, treated with curative intent, will be screened for eligibility to receive preoptimisation before surgery. The preoptimisation protocol includes; decompression of the small bowel with a NG-tube for right sided obstruction and SEMS or decompressing ileostomy or colostomy, proximal to the site of obstruction, for left sided colonic obstructions. For the additional work-up, additional nutrition by means of parenteral feeding (for patients who are dependent on a NG tube) or oral/enteral nutrition (in case the obstruction is relieved) is provided. Physiotherapy with attention to both cardio and muscle training prior surgical resection is provided. The primary endpoint is complication-free survival (CFS) at the 90 day period after hospitalisation. Secondary outcomes include pre- and postoperative complications, patient- and tumour characteristics, surgical procedures, total in hospital stay, creation of decompressing and/or permanent ileo- or colostomy and long-term (oncological) outcomes.

DISCUSSION

Preoptimisation is expected to improve the preoperative health condition of patients and thereby reduce postoperative complications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial Registry: NL8266 date of registration: 06-jan-2020.

STUDY STATUS

Open for inclusion.

Prehabilitation versus no prehabilitation to improve functional capacity, reduce postoperative complications and improve quality of life in colorectal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

Surgery is the cornerstone in curative treatment of colorectal cancer. Unfortunately, surgery itself can adversely affect patient health. 'Enhanced Recovery After Surgery' programmes, which include multimodal interventions, have improved patient outcomes substantially. However, these are mainly applied peri- and postoperatively. Multimodal prehabilitation includes multiple preoperative interventions to prepare patients for surgery with the aim of increasing resilience, thereby improving postoperative outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of multimodal prehabilitation programmes on functional capacity, postoperative complications, and quality of life in adult patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO in January 2021. We also searched trial registries up to March 2021.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in adult patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer, scheduled for surgery, comparing multimodal prehabilitation programmes (defined as comprising at least two preoperative interventions) with no prehabilitation. We focused on the following outcomes: functional capacity (i.e. 6-minute walk test, VO2peak, handgrip strength), postoperative outcomes (i.e. complications, mortality, length of hospital stay, emergency department visits, re-admissions), health-related quality of life, compliance, safety of prehabilitation, and return to normal activities.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently selected studies, extracted data, assessed risk of bias and used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence. Any disagreements were solved with discussion and consensus. We pooled data to perform meta-analyses, where possible.

MAIN RESULTS

We included three RCTs that enrolled 250 participants with non-metastatic colorectal cancer, scheduled for elective (mainly laparoscopic) surgery. Included trials were conducted in tertiary care centres and recruited patients during periods ranging from 17 months to 45 months. A total of 130 participants enrolled in a preoperative four-week trimodal prehabilitation programme consisting of exercise, nutritional intervention, and anxiety reduction techniques. Outcomes of these participants were compared to those of 120 participants who started an identical but postoperative programme. Postoperatively, prehabilitation may improve functional capacity, determined with the 6-minute walk test at four and eight weeks (mean difference (MD) 26.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) -13.81 to 65.85; 2 studies; n = 131; and MD 26.58, 95% CI -8.88 to 62.04; 2 studies; n = 140); however, the certainty of evidence is low and very low, respectively, due to serious risk of bias, imprecision, and inconsistency. After prehabilitation, the functional capacity before surgery improved, with a clinically relevant mean difference of 24.91 metres (95% CI 11.24 to 38.57; 3 studies; n = 225). The certainty of evidence was moderate due to downgrading for serious risk of bias. The effects of prehabilitation on the number of complications (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.29; 3 studies; n = 250), emergency department visits (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.32; 3 studies; n = 250) and re-admissions (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.54 to 2.65; 3 studies; n = 250) were small or even trivial. The certainty of evidence was low due to downgrading for serious risk of bias and imprecision. The effects on VO2peak, handgrip strength, length of hospital stay, mortality rate, health-related quality of life, return to normal activities, safety of the programme, and compliance rate could not be analysed quantitatively due to missing or insufficient data. The included studies did not report a difference between groups for health-related quality of life and length of hospital stay. Data on remaining outcomes were not reported or were reported inadequately in the included studies.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Prehabilitation may result in an improved functional capacity, determined with the 6-minute walk test both preoperatively and postoperatively. A solid effect on the number of omplications, postoperative emergency department visits and re-admissions could not be established. The certainty of evidence ranges from moderate to very low, due to downgrading for serious risk of bias, imprecision and inconsistency. In addition, only three heterogeneous studies were included in this review. Therefore, the findings of this review should be interpreted with caution. Numerous relevant RCTs are ongoing and will be included in a future update of this review.

Prehabilitation for patients with colorectal cancer: a snapshot of current daily practice in Dutch hospitals

BACKGROUND

Multimodal prehabilitation programmes are increasingly being imbedded in colorectal cancer (CRC) pathways to enhance the patient's recovery after surgery. However, there is no (inter)national consensus on the content or design of such a programme. This study aimed to evaluate the current practice and opinion regarding preoperative screening and prehabilitation for patients undergoing surgery for CRC throughout the Netherlands.

METHODS

All regular Dutch hospitals offering colorectal cancer surgery were included. An online survey was sent to one representative colorectal surgeon per hospital. Descriptive statistics were used for analyses.

RESULTS

Response rate was 100% (n = 69). Routine preoperative screening of patients with CRC for frailty, diminished nutritional status and anaemia was the standard of care in nearly all Dutch hospitals (97%, 93% and 94%, respectively). Some form of prehabilitation was provided in 46 hospitals (67%) of which more than 80% addressed nutritional status, frailty, physical status and anaemia. All but two of the remaining hospitals were willing to adopt prehabilitation. The majority of the hospitals offered prehabilitation to specific subgroups of patients with CRC, such as the elderly (41%), the frail (71%) or high-risk patients (57%). There was high variability in the setting, design and content of the prehabilitation programmes.

CONCLUSIONS

Whereas preoperative screening is sufficiently incorporated in Dutch hospitals, standardised enhancement of the patient's condition in the context of multimodal prehabilitation seems to be challenging. This study presents an overview of current clinical practice in the Netherlands. Uniform clinical prehabilitation guidelines are vital to diminish heterogeneity in programmes and to produce useful data to enable a nationwide implementation of an evidence-based prehabilitation programme.

[Nutritional supportive care in the course of patients with esophagogastric cancers]

Supportive care plays a central role in the management of patients with esophagogastric cancers, at all disease stages. Malnutrition has a high prevalence in this population, reaching up to 60 % of the patients. Sarcopenia and cachexia are also common. These complications have negative impact on functional abilities, quality of life and overall survival. They impair anti-tumor treatments effectiveness and increase their toxicity. Early detection and management are needed, before reaching advanced stages, which are refractory to therapeutic interventions. Specific nutritional support is recommended, relying on different nutritional support tools (dietetic counseling, oral supplements, artificial nutrition), depending on the clinical situation. When artificial nutrition is recommended, enteral nutrition (nasogastric tube, gastrostomy or jejunostomy) should be preferred. When enteral nutrition is impossible or insufficient, parenteral nutrition could be necessary. For patients with advanced esophagogastric cancers, digestive prostheses and decompressive radiation therapy may have a symptomatic benefit on dysphagia. Adapted physical activity is also recommended at all stages of cancer care and ongoing clinical trials will help to specify its modalities and to optimize its place in the therapeutic strategy. Finally, psychosocial support could be useful. A combined approach of these different interventions on the nutritional, physical and psychological aspects is beneficial for patients with esophagogastric cancers. This multimodal and multidisciplinary approach applies to both the early stages of the disease, with prehabilitation and/or rehabilitation to reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality and the advanced stages, with a benefit on survival and quality of life, in parallel with anti-tumor treatments.

Multimodal prehabilitation service for patients with colorectal cancer: the challenges of implementation

Prehabilitation has been shown to improve outcomes for patients undergoing major surgery; benefits include reductions in length of hospital stay and postoperative complications. Multimodal prehabilitation programmes lead to improved patient engagement and experience. This report describes implementation of a personalised multimodal prehabilitation programme for patients awaiting colorectal cancer surgery. We aim to highlight the successes, challenges and future direction of our programme.Patients listed for colorectal cancer surgery were referred for initial prehabilitation assessment. The prehabilitation group were assessed by specialist physiotherapists, dieticians and psychologists. An individualised programme was developed for each patient, aiming to optimise preoperative functional capacity and enhance physical and psychological resilience. Clinical primary outcome measures were recorded and compared with contemporaneous controls. For those undergoing prehabilitation, a set of secondary functional, nutritional and psychological outcomes were recorded at initial assessment and on completion of the programme.61 patients were enrolled in the programme from December 2021 to October 2022. 12 patients were excluded as they received less than 14 days prehabilitation or had incomplete data. The remaining 49 patients received a median duration of 24 days prehabilitation (range 15-91 days). The results show statistically significant improvements in the following functional outcome measures after prehabilitation: Rockwood scores, maximal inspiratory pressures, International Physical Activity Questionnaire Score and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness - Fatigue Score. There was a lower postoperative complication rate in the prehabilitation group when compared with a control group (50% vs 67%).This quality improvement project has 3 Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles. PDSA 1 demonstrates prehabilitation can be successfully imbedded within a colorectal surgical unit and that patients are grateful for the service. PDSA 2 provides the project's first complete data set and demonstrates functional improvements in patients undergoing prehabilitation. The third PDSA cycle is ongoing and aims to refine the prehabilitation interventions and improve clinical outcomes for patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.

Adherence to and Efficacy of the Nutritional Intervention in Multimodal Prehabilitation in Colorectal and Esophageal Cancer Patients

Multimodal prehabilitation programs to improve physical fitness before surgery often include nutritional interventions. This study evaluates the efficacy of and adherence to a nutritional intervention among colorectal and esophageal cancer patients undergoing the multimodal Fit4Surgery prehabilitation program. The intervention aims to achieve an intake of ≥1.5 g of protein/kg body weight (BW) per day through dietary advice and daily nutritional supplementation (30 g whey protein). This study shows 56.3% of patients met this goal after prehabilitation. Mean daily protein intake significantly increased from 1.20 ± 0.39 g/kg BW at baseline to 1.61 ± 0.41 g/kg BW after prehabilitation (p < 0.001), with the main increase during the evening snack. BW, BMI, 5-CST, and protein intake at baseline were associated with adherence to the nutritional intervention. These outcomes suggest that dietary counseling and protein supplementation can significantly improve protein intake in different patient groups undergoing a multimodal prehabilitation program.

[COSA 80: Oncologic surgery in the elderly patients]

INTRODUCTION

Due to longer life expectancy, an increasing number of older people are at risk of developing cancer. Surgical resection of a non-metastatic and resectable digestive tumor remains the main therapeutic weapon. The objective of our study is to assess the possibility of curative oncological surgery in patients over 80years of age, to study its impact in terms of morbidity and mortality, and to look for risk factors for the occurrence of complications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study-included patients aged 80 and over operated on for digestive cancer in a curative situation. This was a multicenter prospective cohort study. A total of 230 patients were included in the study. In addition to demographic and medical data, the patients all benefited from an onco-geriatric assessment with the performance of various tests: WHO score, G8 score, IADL score, ADL score, mobility score, nutritional assessment, clock, thymic evaluation (Mini-GDS). Data collection of geriatric scores was repeated 3months postoperatively.

RESULTS

Of a total of 230 patients, 51% were male and 49% female. The average age was 84.7years. Tumor localization was mainly colorectal (65.81%). Age had no influence on the mortality rate, with a mean age with no significant difference in the event of an unfavorable outcome or not (84.6 vs. 85years). The results at the different scores were then analyzed in search of a significant difference between preoperative and at 3months. The only significant difference found was in the number of patients with a WHO status of 0 (P=0.021).

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that curative oncological surgery is possible in elderly patients without any adverse effect on their quality of life and level of postoperative autonomy. The multidisciplinary geriatric approach to the patient must make it possible to distinguish the patients who will benefit from a curative treatment and those in whom the benefit-risk balance is unfavorable.

Effects of Relaxation-Focused Nursing Program in Women with Ovarian Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatment is a major cause of hospitalization in ovarian cancer. In this process, physical problems, such as pain and changes in respiratory functions, and psychological problems, such as anxiety and stress, may develop.

AIM

This study aims to investigate the effects of the Relaxation-Focused Nursing Program on pain, anxiety, lung volume, level of knowledge, and nursing care satisfaction in ovarian cancer surgery.

METHOD

A randomized controlled trial in which participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental (preoperative relaxation exercises and education; n = 24) or control (usual nursing care; n =22) groups. The intervention consisted of practicing four sessions of relaxation exercises and education in the hospital for two days before surgery. Data were collected using the Trait and State Anxiety Inventory, Surgical Information Form, and Perioperative Assessment Form. The results were analyzed using the Friedman and Wilcoxon tests.

RESULTS

The findings showed significant reductions in pain (p = .045) and anxiety scores (p < .001). The level of knowledge means scores were higher in the experimental group, but there was no significant difference between mean scores of spirometer volume and care satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

The program was more effective than usual nursing care in preoperative anxiety, pain, and level of knowledge. Although there was no difference between the care satisfaction scores of the patients, the reasons for care satisfaction were different in the program. Developing and implementing care that combines stress reduction interventions and preoperative education can improve the preoperative outcomes of patients.

Study protocol for a pilot trial analysing the usability, validity and safety of an interventional health app programme for the structured prehabilitation of patients before major surgical interventions: the PROTEGO MAXIMA trial

INTRODUCTION

Major surgery is associated with a high risk for postoperative complications, leading to an increase in mortality and morbidity, particularly in frail patients with a reduced cardiopulmonary reserve. Prehabilitation, including aerobic exercise training, aims to improve patients' physical fitness before major surgery and reduce postoperative complications, length of hospital stay and costs. The purpose of the study is to assess the usability, validity and safety of an app-based endurance exercise software in accordance with the Medical Device Regulation using wrist-worn wearables to measure heart rate (HR) and distance.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The PROTEGO MAXIMA trial is a prospective, interventional study with patients undergoing major elective surgery, comprising three tasks. Tasks I and II aim to assess the usability of the app, using evaluation questionnaires and usability scenarios. In Task IIIa, patients will undergo a structured risk assessment by the Patronus App, which will be correlated with the occurrence of postoperative complications after 90 days (non-interventional). In Task IIIb, healthy students and patients will perform a supervised 6 min walking test and a 37 min interval training on a treadmill based on HR reserve, wearing standard ECG limb leads and two smartwatches, which will be driven by the test software. The aim of this task is to assess the accuracy of HR measurement by the wearables and the safety, using specific alarm settings of the devices and lab testing of the participants (interventional).

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board of the University Hospital of Frankfurt and by the Federal Institute for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Products (BfArM, reference number 94.1.04-5660-13655) on 7 February 2022. The results from this study will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals and reported at suitable national and international meetings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS

European Database on Medical Devices (CIV-21-07-037311) and German Clinical Trial Registry (DRKS00026985).