Postoperative changes in fatigue, physical function and body composition: an analysis of the amalgamated data from five randomized trials on patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

AIM: Changes in postoperative fatigue, physical function and body composition were described in patients after open colorectal surgery, and factors that predicted postoperative fatigue 1 month after surgery were identified. METHOD: Data from five clinical intervention studies from 1991 to 2005 were amalgamated. Patients (n = 385) were examined preoperatively, at discharge and 1 month postoperatively. The level of fatigue was scored subjectively from 1 'fit' to 10 'fatigued' on a modified visual analogue scale and by objective measurements of hand grip and knee extension strength, work capacity, weight, lean body mass and fat mass. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of a high fatigue score 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperatively, only 17% had a high fatigue score (≥ 5.5), whereas 65 and 30% had a high fatigue score at discharge and 1 month postoperatively, respectively. Postoperatively, there was a significant fall in physical performance, weight, lean body mass and fat mass that did not normalize by 1 month. High preoperative and discharge fatigue scores, major complications and the loss of lean body mass significantly increased the risk of fatigue 1 month postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Open colorectal surgery was associated with a significant increase in postoperative fatigue and a decline in physical performance, weight and lean body mass. Major complications, a high perioperative fatigue score and the loss of lean body mass increased the risk of long-term fatigue.

Postoperative physical training following colorectal surgery: a randomised, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Major surgery is often followed by fatigue and reduced physical function. We wished to study if postoperative physical training reduced fatigue and improved physical function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Randomised, placebo-controlled, single-blinded study. Participants were unselected patients > or = 60 years undergoing elective colorectal surgery without disseminated cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. Group A trained muscular strength and work capacity. Group B performed relaxation exercises and received hot wrappings and massage. Main outcome measures were: fatigue (visual analogue scale), muscular strength, walking speed, physical performance test, and physical function questions (SF-36). RESULTS: Preoperatively the two groups were similar except that A was more fatigued than B. By postoperative day seven fatigue had increased compared to preoperatively, more in B than A, but by day 30 and 90 there were no significant differences between groups. All indices of physical function decreased postoperative day seven and were at the preoperative level day 90 with no significant differences between groups in change in function. Day seven the change in knee extension strength tended to be lower in B than A but by day 30 changes were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Postoperative training did not improve physical function, but reduced fatigue in hospital.

Little effect of physical training on body composition and nutritional intake following colorectal surgery--a randomised placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperatively patients have a reduction in nutritional intake and body weight. We studied the effect of postoperative physical training on nutritional intake and body composition. METHODS: Patients > or =60 y admitted for elective colorectal surgery were randomised to train muscular strength (group A) or to nonstrengthening exercises (group B) for 3 months. Fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM) were assessed with bioimpedance preoperatively, 7, 30, and 90 days postoperatively. Nutritional intake was registered in a subpopulation. RESULTS: Of 119 included patients, 60 were randomised to group A and 59 to B. The changes in LBM at postoperative day 7 were a mean (s.d.) of 0.4 (2.1) kg in group A compared to -0.7 (2.0) kg in B. The difference between groups of 1.2 (0.5) kg at day 7 was statistically significant (P=0.03). At no other time was observed difference between groups in weight, LBM, or FM. The energy and protein intake rose during postoperative day 1-7 and rose further after discharge. At no time were differences between groups. CONCLUSION: Physical training had little effect on body composition following abdominal surgery. The nutritional intake in well-nourished patients did not increase by training.