The perioperative pulmonary rehabilitation for lung surgery was mainly reviewed based on the results of meta-analysis of preoperative, postoperative, preoperative/postoperative rehabilitation, enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS), and incentive spirometry(IS).
Preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation requires at least 2 weeks. Changeable risk factors for pulmonary complications should be improved as much as possible, focusing on exercise therapy. After surgery, ERAS should start early, and comprehensive interventions such as respiratory care, early mobilization, pain control, IS, and chest physiotherapy should be effective. Postoperative rehabilitation centered on aerobic exercise should be performed even during the postoperative stable period.
Perioperative pulmonary rehabilitation improves postoperative pulmonary complications, pneumonia, length of hospitalization, reduction of thoracic drainage, exercise tolerance, physical activity, quadriceps muscle strength, pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, health-related quality of life(HRQOL), dyspnea, and fatigue. Although it is currently difficult to improve the mortality rate, perioperative pulmonary rehabilitation could potentially improve it in the future.
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