Intensive Prehabilitation Program to Reduce Risks from Smoking, Nutrition, Alcohol, and Physical Inactivity Before Ventral Hernia Surgery A Randomized Trial to Improve Postoperative Outcomes and Health Costs

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the impact of intensive lifestyle changes before ventral hernia surgery to reduce complications, improve health, and lower costs. This trial compares a tailored prehabilitation program called STRONG with usual care for patients who have one or more risky lifestyles related to smoking, nutrition, alcohol use, or physical inactivity. The study aims to see if STRONG can cut postoperative complication rates by half within 30 days after surgery. In this randomized controlled trial, 400 patients scheduled for ventral hernia repair are assigned either to the STRONG program or to usual treatment before surgery. The STRONG program includes at least six weekly counseling sessions focused on the patients specific risky lifestyle factors, along with education, motivation, pharmaceutical help, and immunonutrition just before surgery. The control group receives standard preoperative advice and materials on lifestyle changes. Participants are followed at surgery or end of intervention, then at one, three, and six months after surgery. Long-term results are tracked through national registries up to two years post-surgery. Researchers measure postoperative complications within 30 days as the main outcome, along with lifestyle improvements, quality of life, costs, and complication rates up to six months. Patient expectations and reflections are also collected at baseline to help assess the programs impact.

STRONG for Surgery & Strong for Life - Intensive Prehabilitation for Risk Reduction in Ventral Hernia Repair