Impact of Smoking in Postoperative Outcomes after Elective Surgery

Introduction: The hazard of smoking is not only limited to the general health risks but also makes the smokers more vulnerable to various perioperative complications ranging from pulmonary complications to delayed wound healing to cardiovascular events. Methodology: This is an observational study in the department of general surgery of a tertiary care teaching hospital over a period of 24 months (May 2019–April 2021). Patients between 18- and 60-year age undergoing noncardiac elective surgical procedures were included in the study. Results: A total of 240 patients, meeting the inclusion criteria, posted for elective, noncardiac surgery were enrolled in this prospective observational study. In smoker patients’ group (n = 138) undergoing surgery, 42 (30.4%) patients developed postoperative complications as compared to 12 (11.8%) patients in nonsmoker group (n = 102). The risk of postoperative complications among smokers was 3.2 times (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.62–6.63) (P ≤ 0.0009). Smokers with pack-years > 11 had 3.8 times increased risk of postoperative complications as compared to nonsmokers (OR, 95% CI: 1.85–8.098) (P ≤ 0.0003). Conclusion: Our study aims to add to existing evidence and improve our understanding of delayed wound healing and major complications in smoker patients as surgical cases. Nonsmokers are at a lesser risk than smokers in postoperative complications. Awareness regarding the harmful effects of smoking and its influence on postoperative wound healing, motivation for quitting, and abstinence from smoking will help in reducing postoperative complications and better treatment outcomes.