(Originally presented by Dr Boris Waldman)

Complications of smoking after major surgery:

Smoking and quitting trends

  • Median age of smokers 54
  • 41% are female
  • Median 10 cigarettes/day
  • 61% reported smoking within 30 minutes of waking most mornings
  • 50% reported smoking on the morning of surgery
  • 31% reported attempting to quit within 30 days of surgery
  • 15% had tried some form of pharmacological patches

Take home messages:

  • Many patients will continue to smoke despite major surgery
  • Many patients are not aware of the significant health risks related to surgery
  • At any opportunity – ask, advise and refer
  • Practice points to share
    • Tell them about the increased risk of wound complications post surgery
    • Ask your patient not to smoke on the morning of surgery
    • Ask your patient to buy patches – everyone smoking >10 per day or within 30 minutes of waking should start with 25mg/day (remember each cigarette is 2mg)

Useful links: