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Effects of a perioperative smoking cessation intervention on postoperative complications: a randomized trial

Lindström, David ; Sadr Azodi, Omid ; Wladis, Andreas ; Tønnesen, Hanne LU ; Linder, Stefan ; Nåsell, Hans ; Ponzer, Sari and Adami, Johanna (2008) In Annals of Surgery 248(5). p.739-745
Abstract
Objective: To determine whether an intervention with smoking cessation starting 4 weeks before general and orthopedic surgery would reduce the frequency of postoperative complications.
Summary Background Data: Complications are a major concern after elective surgery and smokers have an increased risk. There is insufficient evidence concerning how the duration of preoperative smoking intervention affects postoperative complications.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial, conducted between February 2004 and December 2006 at 4 university-affiliated hospitals in the Stockholm region, Sweden. The outcome assessment was blinded. The follow-up period for the primary outcome was 30 days. Eligibility criteria were active daily smokers,... (More)
Objective: To determine whether an intervention with smoking cessation starting 4 weeks before general and orthopedic surgery would reduce the frequency of postoperative complications.
Summary Background Data: Complications are a major concern after elective surgery and smokers have an increased risk. There is insufficient evidence concerning how the duration of preoperative smoking intervention affects postoperative complications.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial, conducted between February 2004 and December 2006 at 4 university-affiliated hospitals in the Stockholm region, Sweden. The outcome assessment was blinded. The follow-up period for the primary outcome was 30 days. Eligibility criteria were active daily smokers, aged 18 to 79 years. Of the 238 patients assessed, 76 refused participating, and 117 men and women undergoing surgery for primary hernia repair, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or a hip or knee prosthesis were enrolled.
Intervention: Smoking cessation therapy with individual counseling and nicotine substitution started 4 weeks before surgery and continued 4 weeks postoperatively. The control group received standard care. The main outcome measure was frequency of any postoperative complication.
Results: An intention-to-treat analysis showed that the overall complication rate in the control group was 41%, and in the intervention group, it was 21% (P = 0.03). Relative risk reduction for the primary outcome of any postoperative complication was 49% and number needed to treat was 5 (95% CI, 3–40). An analysis per protocol showed that abstainers had fewer complications (15%) than those who continued to smoke or only reduced smoking (35%), although this difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Perioperative smoking cessation seems to be an effective tool to reduce postoperative complications even if it is introduced as late as 4 weeks before surgery.
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author
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publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Annals of Surgery
volume
248
issue
5
pages
7 pages
publisher
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
external identifiers
  • scopus:56149094441
ISSN
0003-4932
DOI
10.1097/SLA.0b013e3181889d0d
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
996ab905-2edd-4bcb-894e-05db6cf5304b
date added to LUP
2018-12-06 15:46:54
date last changed
2022-04-02 04:35:27
@article{996ab905-2edd-4bcb-894e-05db6cf5304b,
  abstract     = {{Objective: To determine whether an intervention with smoking cessation starting 4 weeks before general and orthopedic surgery would reduce the frequency of postoperative complications.<br/>Summary Background Data: Complications are a major concern after elective surgery and smokers have an increased risk. There is insufficient evidence concerning how the duration of preoperative smoking intervention affects postoperative complications.<br/>Methods: A randomized controlled trial, conducted between February 2004 and December 2006 at 4 university-affiliated hospitals in the Stockholm region, Sweden. The outcome assessment was blinded. The follow-up period for the primary outcome was 30 days. Eligibility criteria were active daily smokers, aged 18 to 79 years. Of the 238 patients assessed, 76 refused participating, and 117 men and women undergoing surgery for primary hernia repair, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or a hip or knee prosthesis were enrolled.<br/>Intervention: Smoking cessation therapy with individual counseling and nicotine substitution started 4 weeks before surgery and continued 4 weeks postoperatively. The control group received standard care. The main outcome measure was frequency of any postoperative complication.<br/>Results: An intention-to-treat analysis showed that the overall complication rate in the control group was 41%, and in the intervention group, it was 21% (P = 0.03). Relative risk reduction for the primary outcome of any postoperative complication was 49% and number needed to treat was 5 (95% CI, 3–40). An analysis per protocol showed that abstainers had fewer complications (15%) than those who continued to smoke or only reduced smoking (35%), although this difference was not statistically significant.<br/>Conclusion: Perioperative smoking cessation seems to be an effective tool to reduce postoperative complications even if it is introduced as late as 4 weeks before surgery.<br/>}},
  author       = {{Lindström, David and Sadr Azodi, Omid and Wladis, Andreas and Tønnesen, Hanne and Linder, Stefan and Nåsell, Hans and Ponzer, Sari and Adami, Johanna}},
  issn         = {{0003-4932}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{11}},
  number       = {{5}},
  pages        = {{739--745}},
  publisher    = {{Lippincott Williams & Wilkins}},
  series       = {{Annals of Surgery}},
  title        = {{Effects of a perioperative smoking cessation intervention on postoperative complications: a randomized trial}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0b013e3181889d0d}},
  doi          = {{10.1097/SLA.0b013e3181889d0d}},
  volume       = {{248}},
  year         = {{2008}},
}