Methods: This retrospective study included a total of 96 patients who underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy for a bronchial carcinoma or metastatic lung disease (84 males, 12 females; median age 60 years; interquartile range 55-67 years) between September 2012 and September 2013. A novel preoperative physiotherapy education protocol was developed by the pulmonary rehabilitation unit and thoracic surgery department of our hospital for patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Of the patients, 49 were applied preoperative physiotherapy education and 47 were not applied. Outcomes of patients who were applied or not preoperative physiotherapy education protocol during a six-month period were compared.

Results: The length of hospital stay and postoperative complication rates were similar between the groups (p>0.05). In preoperative physiotherapy education group, the number of days between the date of education and operation was found to be negatively correlated with the length of hospital stay and the postoperative complication rates (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Our study results suggest that physiotherapy education should start as early as possible before lung surgery and this protocol is associated with shorter hospital stay and lower postoperative complication rate.