Physical Activity and Outcomes in Colorectal Surgery: A Pilot Prospective Cohort Study

Mobilization after surgery is recommended to reduce the risk of adverse effects and to improve recovery. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between perioperative physical activity and postoperative outcomes in colorectal surgery.

The daily number of footsteps was recorded from preoperative day 5 to postoperative day 3 in a prospective cohort of patients using wrist accelerometers. Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), 6 Min Walking Test (6MWT), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were assessed preoperatively. ROC curves were used to assess the performance of physical activity as a diagnostic test of complications and prolonged length of stay (LOS) of more than 5 days.

A total of 50 patients were included. Patients with complications were significantly older (67 years) than those without complications (53 years, p = 0.020). PEF was significantly lower in the group with complications (mean flow 294.3 vs. 363.6 L/min, p = 0.038) while there was no difference between groups for the other two tests (TUGT and 6MWT). The tests had no capacity to discriminate the occurrence of complications and prolonged LOS, except the 6MWT for LOS (AUC = 0.746, p = 0.004, 95% CI: 0.604-0.889). There was no difference in the mean number of preoperative footsteps, but patients with complications walked significantly less postoperatively (mean daily footsteps 1,101 vs. 1,243, p = 0.018).

Colorectal surgery patients with complications were elderly, had decreased PEF, and walked less postoperatively. The 6MWT could be used preoperatively to discriminate patients with potentially increased LOS and foster mobilisation strategies.