Why Smokers Face More Surgery Complications

Smoking before surgery significantly increases complications; current smokers have a 14% higher risk of post-surgical problems like infections and delayed healing

Quitting smoking less than six weeks before surgery provides little benefit — patients need at least six weeks for their body to begin recovering from tobacco's damaging effects

Young, otherwise healthy smokers are particularly at risk, with the highest smoking rates (26.8%) seen in patients aged 18 to 40 who often underestimate their vulnerability

Smoking weakens immune defenses and promotes chronic inflammation by disrupting how immune cells function, creating an environment where infections thrive and healing slows

Elective surgeries provide an ideal opportunity for smoking cessation, as the scheduled waiting period allows time for immune function and tissue oxygenation to improve

Why Smokers Face More Surgery Complications - AI Podcast