The concern that stopping smoking shortly before surgery increases postoperative pulmonary complication is unsubstantiated, according to a study from researchers at the Mayo Clinic, published in Anesthesia & Analgesia.
According to the abstract, providers may choose not to stage a tobacco use intervention with surgical patients because they believe stopping smoking less than eight weeks before surgery will increase the likelihood of complications. The researchers demonstrate that this concern arose from a misinterpretation of initial studies and has remained in the medical literature despite evidence accumulated against it.
The researchers said unsubstantiated concepts can have a negative effect on medical practice. Although it may take several weeks for a patient to derive a pulmonary benefit from quitting, there is no evidence that pulmonary complications would increase if patients quit smoking before surgery.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
December Anesthesiology Issue Highlights Washington University Exclusively
Drug Shortages Worst in Oncology, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia and Cardiology
General Anesthesia for Bilateral Exploration for Elderly Patients With Hyperparathryoidism
According to the abstract, providers may choose not to stage a tobacco use intervention with surgical patients because they believe stopping smoking less than eight weeks before surgery will increase the likelihood of complications. The researchers demonstrate that this concern arose from a misinterpretation of initial studies and has remained in the medical literature despite evidence accumulated against it.
The researchers said unsubstantiated concepts can have a negative effect on medical practice. Although it may take several weeks for a patient to derive a pulmonary benefit from quitting, there is no evidence that pulmonary complications would increase if patients quit smoking before surgery.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
December Anesthesiology Issue Highlights Washington University Exclusively
Drug Shortages Worst in Oncology, Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia and Cardiology
General Anesthesia for Bilateral Exploration for Elderly Patients With Hyperparathryoidism