Smoking and surgery

This study examined the impact of smoking on the results of colorectal surgery.

Surgery for the removal of colorectal cancer, like any surgical intervention, carries the risk of serious complications. Smoking has been found to be a risk factor for complications in several types of major surgery. This is presumably due to the decreased levels of tissue oxygen and the constricting effect nicotine has on the blood vessels. However, most studies performed to date were small, and few examined the effects of smoking and smoking cessation on the outcomes of colorectal surgery.

This study evaluated the outcomes of patients 30 days after colorectal surgery. A total of 47,574 patients were identified, 26,333 of whom had surgery for colorectal cancer. Current smokers were found to have a 37% increased risk for infections at the incision site, and a 36% increased risk for major complications such as organ failure or blood clots compared to non-smokers. Current smokers also showed the highest rate of pneumonia (lung infections) and return to the operating room for additional surgeries. The rate of death after surgery was also highest for current smokers. This finding was found true for patients with both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumors.

In summary, smoking is significantly associated with surgical complications and death following colorectal surgery.

Consult with your physician regarding programs and treatments to aid in smoking cessation.