Smoking and alcohol intervention before surgery: evidence for best practice
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Smoking and hazardous drinking are common and important risk factors for an increased rate of complications after surgery. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms include organic dysfunctions that can recover with abstinence. Abstinence starting 3-8 weeks before surgery will significantly reduce the incidence of several serious postoperative complications, such as wound and cardiopulmonary complications and infections. However, this intervention must be intensive to obtain sufficient effect on surgical complications. All patients presenting for surgery should be questioned regarding smoking and hazardous drinking, and interventions appropriate for the surgical setting applied.
Original language | English |
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Journal | British Journal of Anaesthesia |
Volume | 102 |
Issue number | 3 |
Pages (from-to) | 297-306 |
Number of pages | 10 |
ISSN | 0007-0912 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2009 |
Bibliographical note
Keywords: Alcohol Drinking; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Postoperative Complications; Preoperative Care; Smoking; Smoking Cessation; Temperance
ID: 19978147