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Prehabilitation in gynecological surgery? What do gynecologists know and need to know

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Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background/aims

The self-quantification of patients is extending beyond the daily routine. More and more patients ask about the ‘optimal’ physical condition for an elective surgery. As the hysterectomy is one of the most common surgeries, a literature review was conducted to answer the question for the optimal surgical self preparation (prehabilitation).

Methods

A literature review with the search terms ‘physical activity’ or ‘physical exercise’ or ‘sport’ or ‘prehabilitation’ and ‘hysterectomy’ was conducted in the National Library of Medicine database (PubMed) and Web of science. The search was limited to English or German language and publishing date after 2000. Two independent researchers (SO, FE) reviewed the results and excluded irrelevant or double articles.

Results

After excluding irrelevant articles, five publications were left for review. One article published a study protocol and one a case report. Three articles reported study results. The numbers of patients reported are low. Prehabilitation programs differ depending on the primary study outcome. There seems to be a benefit for earlier discharge if patients undergo prehabilitation.

Conclusion

Unlike other disciplines where prehabilitation has been studied, a gynecologic viewpoint still needs establishing and further studies are needed to clarify the benefit for the patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Frauenklinik, HELIOS Amper Klinikum, Krankenhausstr. 15, 85221, Dachau, Germany

    Florian Ebner

  2. Frauenklinik, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Prittwitzstrasse 43, 89075, Ulm, Germany

    Amelie de Gregorio, Sophia Volz & Wolfgang Janni

  3. Sektion Sport- und Rehabilitationsmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Leimgrubenweg 14, 89075, Ulm, Germany

    Sebastian Viktor Waldemar Schulz, Jürgen Michael Steinacker & Stephanie Otto

Authors
  1. Florian Ebner
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  2. Sebastian Viktor Waldemar Schulz
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  3. Amelie de Gregorio
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  4. Sophia Volz
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  5. Jürgen Michael Steinacker
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  6. Wolfgang Janni
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  7. Stephanie Otto
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Contributions

FE, SS and SO reviewed the literature and designed the study. FE, SO wrote the initial draft which was corrected and finalized by AdG & SV. JS, WJ reviewed and commented on the review.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephanie Otto.

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Conflict of interest

The authors certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Ethical approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Ebner, F., Schulz, S.V.W., de Gregorio, A. et al. Prehabilitation in gynecological surgery? What do gynecologists know and need to know. Arch Gynecol Obstet 297, 27–31 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-017-4565-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-017-4565-8

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