People who smoke are more likely to have complications after surgery than people who do not smoke. Trials showed that only 14 percent of the patients who smoked had problems with wound healing if they had nicotine replacement therapy at least four weeks before surgery, compared to 28 percent of the patients who did not have nicotine replacement therapy. Poor wound healing is one of the most common complications after surgery.
Anaesthetics and surgery put a strain on the body’s oxygen supply ans smoking reduces the amount of oxygen that is available in the blood even more, making it more difficult for wounds to heal – a process which requires oxygen.
[Source]
Chapter: Stop Smoking :: 19 February 2010
