The Effectiveness of Prehabilitation Programs in Enhancing Post-Surgical Outcomes

Preoperative rehabilitation, sometimes known as 'prehabilitation', is a contemporary method aimed at maximizing patient well-being before surgery to minimize surgical risks and enhance postoperative results. Prehabilitation therapies, which were traditionally limited to enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness and reducing patient weight, can now encompass all aspects of patient health, including the biopsychosocial domains. These interventions have been adopted by surgical units globally in diverse ways. In general, prehabilitation therapies offer prospective advantages such as enhanced patient physical condition, less anxiety, improved outcomes (including shorter hospital stays and fewer complication rates), and increased patient involvement before surgery. Nevertheless, they can also be linked to potential disadvantages such as the need for a significant amount of time, expenses, physical restrictions, delays in surgical procedures, especially for individuals with cancer, and a lack of definitive proof proving the benefits for patients. Prehabilitation involves proactive measures aimed at conditioning the body in anticipation of an impending injury or trauma. This phrase refers to the preoperative activities that aim to prepare a patient for surgery and facilitate their rapid recovery and restoration of physical fitness after the procedure.