Interest of Intensive Postoperative Rehabilitation Following Minimally Invasive Lung Resection: A Randomized Controlled Study

For patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), lung resection surgery remains the gold standard for curative treatment. This scheduled operation is associated with significant morbidity, particularly in individuals with impaired cardio-respiratory function. Therefore, patient optimization is paramount. The process begins prior to surgery with preoperative rehabilitation, commonly referred to as "prehabilitation," serving as the foundation for various Enhanced Recovery After Surgery programs. The training methods employed in these programs bear similarity to rehabilitation programs designed for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Postoperatively, patients undergoing thoracic surgery partake in daily physiotherapy sessions, aiming to optimize the postoperative period, minimize the respiratory impact of surgery, and reduce the length of hospital stay. However, this treatment is not currently standardized and primarily involves early mobilization, including walking, and respiratory physiotherapy. Our focus is on the intensity and methods of this postoperative rehabilitation.

There is limited literature on effective early rehabilitation in the immediate postoperative period, and existing studies suggest no adverse events associated with postoperative training. Therefore, our objective is to assess whether combining endurance training with standard physiotherapy (walking and respiratory physiotherapy) enhances the functional capacity of individuals undergoing lung surgery.