Prehabilitation prior to lung cancer surgery: a small step forward

Ever since the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (1), it has been clear that preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation improves function in patients preparing to undergo lung resection. However, the ensuing supporting comparative literature has consisted of small randomized trials and moderately sized cohort studies with a variety of limitations (2). We are left mixed impressions as to the role of prehabilitation in patients awaiting lung cancer surgery.