Smoking & Surgery: Understanding Risks and Complications

Though we know that smoking is bad for your health, it also raises your risk of complications during surgery. Quitting smoking is a difficult proposition, but knowing your risks before a procedure may help you make that decision.

Infection

• If you are a smoker one of the most common complications during surgery is infection. Since smoking deprives cells of oxygen, they don't typically heal correctly and you are at a greater risk of infection.

Heart and Lung

• Since smoking is hard on the lungs and the heart, your chances of recovery from heart surgery are limited because of the damage to your organs and immune system.

Vasoconstriction

• Vasoconstriction, or constriction of the blood vessels, is common in smokers. This makes blood flow more difficult and interferes with the proper transference of oxygen throughout your body.

Expert Insight

• According to a study conducted by Bispebjerg University Hospital in Denmark, patients who do not smoke have a two day shorter hospital stay than those who do.

Help

• Many hospitals offer ways to cease smoking such as access to medication and advice. If you are due for an operation, it is wise to quit smoking beforehand.