[Special situations of preconditioning and prehabilitation in oncological visceral surgery]

Prehabilitation prior to complex visceral oncological surgery is playing an increasingly important role.

The aim of this review article is to present special situations of preconditioning in visceral oncological patient cohorts. The following conditions were defined as special situations with subsequently increased risk profile: cardiopulmonary comorbidities, geriatric patients, neoadjuvant therapy and simultaneous fatigue.

A selective literature review based on a search in the electronic databases MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library and the International Standard Randomization Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) was performed.

The identification of high-risk patients is an essential part of the preoperative evaluation conducted by the anesthesiologist prior to surgery. The cardiovascular and the pulmonary risk profile are determined by means of prediction indices evaluating patient-specific and surgery-related risk factors. The increased use of new oral anticoagulants and dual platelet aggregation inhibition requires individualized treatment strategies. Numerous studies have shown clinically relevant effects of exercise therapy interventions throughout all phases of oncological treatment. In addition to positive effects on therapy-associated side effects, sport can also counteract the effects of sedentary behavior in cancer patients and improve the health-related quality of life. The effectiveness of sport and exercise therapies as well as psychological interventions in oncological patients with fatigue (CRF) is broad, with important components being motivation and compliance.

In high-risk patients an interdisciplinary approach to planning and conduction of prehabilitation is essential for the early detection and optimization of perioperative risk factors and potential complications. The aim is faster recovery, reduced morbidity and mortality and the possibility to improve long-term survival and quality of life.