Think about quitting smoking if you are scheduled for surgery

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

It is important to quit smoking before surgery so as to reduce the risk of complications.
There are many reasons for giving up smoking. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) now reminds us of one more - smoking-related diseases increase the complications faced by patients during and after surgery. They say that those who quit beforehand will heal quicker and are less likely to face pneumonia, heart trouble or wound infection.

Accordingly, the ASA has formed its own Smoking Cessation Task Force in order to do more to help patients facing surgery stop smoking. The job of the anesthesiologist is to look after the heart and lungs during an operation and they have found that this is more challenging if the patient is a smoker. ASA members will focus upon talking with patients pre-surgery about their smoking and the risks they may face if they continue. They can refer them for the all-important support that a patient may need if they are to quit.

Source
American Society of Anesthesiologists 20th March 2007

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