Early Ambulation Following Lung Resection Surgery: Impact on Short-term Outcomes in Patients with Lung Cancer.

Objectives: Previous studies indicated that early ambulation following lung resection can prevent postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). However, some patients fail to achieve early ambulation owing to factors such as postoperative nausea, vomiting, or pain, particularly on postoperative day 1. This study aimed to address the critical clinical question: Is ambulation for ≥10 m during initial pulmonary rehabilitation necessary after lung resection surgery?

Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study included 407 patients who underwent lung resection surgery for lung cancer between January 2021 and December 2022.