Preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation’s impact on thoracic surgery outcomes
1Dr Faridullah Khan Ismail, Dr Tahir Aslam2, Dr Muhammad Parvez3, Dr Farhat Bano4,Ghulam Shabbir Pervez5, Dr.Sadia Paras6,
Submission: 15 January 2026 | Acceptance: 29 January 2026 | Publication: 10 February 2026
- Assistant Professor ,Thoracic surgery Department, Medical teaching institute/ Lady reading hospital Peshawar.
- Assistant Professor ,Thoracic Surgery, Fatima jinnah institute of chest diseases Quetta.
- Professor of Surgery Wah Medical College/POF Hospital,Wah cant.
- Associate professor surgery SMBBMC Lyari
- Rashid Latif Medical and Dental College Feroz pur Road Lahore.
- Assistant Professor General Surgery Department Isra University Hospital hyderabad.
Abstract
Introduction: In patients following thoracic surgery, postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) continue to be a significant cause of morbidity and extended hospital stays. In order to maximize respiratory function and enhance surgical results, preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation, or PPR, has been suggested as an intervention.In patients undergoing thoracic surgery, the goal is to assess how preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation affects postoperative outcomes, such as pulmonary problems, length of hospital stay, intensive care unit stay, time to mobilization, and requirement for postoperative oxygen therapy.
Methods: Sixty patients who were scheduled for elective thoracic surgery were included in a prospective comparative study. They were split equally into two groups: the intervention group (preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation) and the control group (regular preoperative care). Aerobic exercises, inspiratory muscle training, breathing exercises, and patient education were all part of the rehabilitation regimen. Postoperative results were documented, and SPSS was used for statistical analysis at a significance level of p < 0.05.
Results: Compared to the control group, the intervention group showed a significantly lower incidence of PPCs (26.7% vs. 60%, p = 0.01), shorter hospital stay (6.2 ± 1.8 vs. 9.1 ± 2.4 days, p = 0.001), shorter ICU stay (1.1 ± 0.6 vs. 2.4 ± 1.2 days, p = 0.002), earlier mobilization (1.3 ± 0.5 vs. 2.6 ± 0.9 days, p < 0.001), and a lower need for postoperative oxygen therapy (23.3% vs. 53.3%, p = 0,02).Conclusion: preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation reduces pulmonary problems, speeds up recovery, and shortens hospital stays, all of which greatly enhance postoperative outcomes for patients having thoracic surgery. Particularly for high-risk individuals with impaired pulmonary function, PPR should be incorporated into routine preoperative treatment.
Keywords: better recovery, hospital stay, inspiratory muscle training, thoracic surgery, postoperative pulmonary problems, and preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation.