Brief Prehabilitation Reduced Complications Prior to Gastrectomy - Summary - MDSpire

Brief Prehabilitation Reduced Complications Prior to Gastrectomy

Researchers evaluate a supervised, home-based program combining exercise, nutrition, and psychological support before surgery

  • By

  • Kathryn Wighton

  • April 7, 2026

  • 3 min

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Objective:

To evaluate the impact of a supervised prehabilitation program on postoperative complications in older patients with frailty undergoing radical gastrectomy.

Key Findings:
  • 30-day postoperative complications were reduced in the prehabilitation group (17%) compared to standard care (29%).
  • Minor complications occurred in 11% of the prehabilitation group vs 20% in standard care.
  • Medical complications were 8% in the prehabilitation group vs 17% in standard care.
  • Improved postoperative recovery metrics: ICU admission (23% vs 33%), shorter mechanical ventilation, and shorter hospital stays (median 6 vs 8 days).
  • Functional capacity improved with a mean increase of 24 m in the 6-minute walk test in the prehabilitation group.
  • Biomarker improvements included decreased C-reactive protein and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio.
  • Lower preoperative anemia rates in the prehabilitation group (19% vs 33%).
Interpretation:

Integrating a supervised, home-based, multimodal prehabilitation program with ERAS care may reduce surgical stress, enhance physiological reserves, and promote recovery in frail older patients.

Limitations:
  • Inability to perform double-blinding.
  • Variability in frailty assessment tools.
  • Lack of survival data.
Conclusion:

The study suggests that prehabilitation can significantly reduce complications and improve recovery in frail older patients undergoing gastrectomy.

Original Source(s)

Brief Prehabilitation Reduced Complications Prior to Gastrectomy

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • April 7, 2026

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