Improving your fitness level prior to significant surgery might reduce the risk of postoperative complications by half, according to a study.
The study also revealed that patients who proactively got ready for scheduled surgeries through exercise and dietary improvements generally experienced faster recoveries.
In the Canadian study involving 15,684 individuals whose medical records were reviewed, participants who adopted healthier behaviors—referred to as prehabilitation rather than post-operative rehabilitation—experienced fewer complications within a month following their procedures and reported an improved overall quality of life.
Scientists found that boosting physical activity prior to surgery, whenever feasible, might decrease the likelihood of complications by half. Additionally, maintaining a nutritious diet—especially one rich in proteins—was linked to reducing the risk by 38 percent.
Interestingly, they discovered that providing patients with psychological support—where healthcare providers walk them through what to anticipate during their recovery period—proved to be one of the most efficient methods for decreasing the length of stay in the hospital following an operation.
When combining all three—exercise, a nutritious diet, and therapy—the likelihood of experiencing post-operative complications decreased by 36 percent.
Getting ready for significant surgery can also reduce the duration of recovery in the hospital.
Individuals who increased their physical activity levels and received emotional backing were hospitalized for approximately two and a half fewer days compared to those who didn't.
Combining exercise and healthy eating was associated with 1.22 fewer days.
Up to 44 percent of NHS patients in the UK experience complications following major surgeries such as internal bleeding, infections, and strokes.
Dr. Daniel McIsaac, who led the study and is an anesthetist at Ottawa Hospital, stated: "Prehabilitation could be advantageous for grown-ups getting ready for surgical procedures."
The researchers are now set to explore the impacts of customized prehabilitation exercises, like emphasizing leg strength prior to knee surgery.
Read more
0 Comments