[Is a preoperative evaluation program in treatment of patients with chronic lumbar syndrome useful?]

The Pre-Operative Evaluation Program (PEP) in the USA is a 1-week outpatient program for patients who have physical pathology which could be improved with surgical intervention. Patients are prepared for surgery and their hospital stay through an education process that includes educational groups, understanding of anatomy, pain and stress management, psychological testing and exercises to improve strength and spine techniques to improve functional abilities. The orthopedic clinic in Kassel developed a 14-days inpatient preoperative evaluation and education program (PEP) for potential surgical candidates with chronic back or neck pain.