Not smoking four weeks before surgery reduces risks

A report from World Health Organization (WHO) published on January 20, 2020 shows that smokers who quit smoking four weeks or more before surgery have fewer post-surgical complications. This study was co-authored by WHO, the Australian University of Newcastle and the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists.

The study found that smokers were at significantly higher risk than non-smokers of both anesthesia-related and post-surgical complications, such as cardiac and respiratory disorders, and delayed and impaired wound healing with wound infections. This is due to the presence of many toxins, including carbon monoxide, in cigarette smoke that impair tissue oxygenation and immune defenses. The study showed that the longer the pre-operative quit, the greater the benefits, since each additional week without smoking reduced the risk of 19%.

Dr Shams Syed, WHO Quality of Care Coordinator, said: “Complications after surgery are a significant burden for both the health care provider and the patient. Physicians, surgeons, nurses, and families are important in helping a patient quit smoking at every stage of care, especially before surgery.. »