Surgical rehabilitation of patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery.

Introduction: A surgical procedure can have repercussions on the functionality and quality of life of patients, reducing their functional capacity by up to 40%, poor preoperative physical performance increases the risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality by 30% (1) and prolongs functional recovery. (2) increasing the hospital stay of the elderly.

Prehabilitation is a pre-surgical intervention that improves the physical, psychological and nutritional condition of the patient to obtain better post-surgical recovery (3), mobility and functional independence (4).

Objective: To evaluate the changes in functional capacity, postoperative complications and 30-day mortality in patients over 65 years of age undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery who participate in a multimodal prehabilitation program, compared to non-prehabilitated patients.

Methodology: Randomized clinical trial.

Two study groups will be compared, an experimental one that will receive the educational intervention (multimodal prehabilitation program) and a control group that will continue with the usual management in the Hospital.

The project activities will be carried out in Telehealth mode and when the pandemic situation allows, the evaluations of the participants will be carried out in person at the facilities of the Méderi Hospital network.

Expected results: Encourage interprofessional work based on common goals with standardization of data and processes that improve physical condition and reduce post-surgical complications; establish traceability of care, clinical and functional condition of the patient.

The aim is to generate scientific evidence, integrate the Méderi, Rehabilitation Sciences and Clinical Research research groups.

Surgery, exercise, functionality, nutrition, morbidity, prehabilitation.