Smoking Cessation Program Helps Reduce Complications for Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

Lorenz WR, Holland AM, Kerr SW, et al. The Benefits of Preoperative Smoking Cessation on Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Outcomes: An Examination of Abstinent Versus Never Smokers. Am J Surg. 238, 115843 (2024).

Available data have shown that active smoking is associated with an increased risk for wound and respiratory complications in patients undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction for management of complex incisional hernia.

This study used a single-institution prospective database to compare outcomes in patients who were non-smokers (n = 783) with patients who had participated in a “prehabilitation” program and had not smoked (n = 305) for at least 4 weeks prior to operation (abstinent smokers or AS).

AS patients had higher risk scores, wound class, and increased comorbid conditions. Despite higher overall risk, rates of complications (infection, respiratory complications, wound complications) in AS patients were not significantly different when compared to non-smokers.

The authors concluded that a 4-week smoking cessation program was an effective approach for reducing complications in patients undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction for repair of ventral hernia.