[Digital applications in prehabilitation before major visceral surgery procedures]

Prehabilitation is of becoming of growing interest in the medical specialist societies, especially before major surgical procedures in older and frail patients. The body of evidence in steadily growing.

Are there good digital solutions for a remote prehabilitation program at home?

Narrative review of the evidence and current study activities in analogous and digital prehabilitation.

Prehabilitation is becoming increasingly more important in the optimal preparation of patients before major surgical procedures. With the help of tailored programs patients can be improved and the risk of complications can be significantly lowered. With an optimal selection, this is not associated with a deterioration of the prognosis for patients with cancer during the intervention lasting for 3-6 weeks. There is still a lack of results and good evidence from well-designed trials for digital solutions.

Prehabilitation can be safely implemented in the preparation of patients before major surgical procedures. Digital solutions are currently being developed and tested and could possibly increase the acceptance in the currently intensifying resource shortages.