Pulmonary Rehabilitation After Minimal Invasive Surgery in Lung Cancer

Pulmonary Rehabilitation After Minimal Invasive Surgery in Lung Cancer

Morbidity in the post-operative phase of pulmonary surgery is characterised by impairment due to pain, dyspnoea and loss of exercise tolerance. We demonstrated previously that rehabilitation after thoracotomy is limited due to pain. Since minimal invasive surgery is the new standard in lung cancer, resulting in a reduction of postoperative pain, we believe there are new possibilities for post-operative integrated multidisciplinary rehabilitation in lung cancer.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients undergoing elective, minimal invasive surgery with intention to cure.
2. Age between 18 and 80 years.
3. ECOG 0 - 2 post-surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with chronic pain

2. Previous pulmonary surgery

3. Comorbidity limiting rehabilitation

   1. Rheumatoid arthritis
   2. Severe ischaemic heart disease or myocardial failure; EF ≤ 35 %.
   3. Muscle disease
   4. Fibromyalgia
   5. Neurologic disorders (Parkinson disease, CVA and lesions of the spinal cord)
   6. Psychiatric disorders