Doctor asked me to stop smoking for a minor surgery

Esprit

Esprit

Jedi Master
Hello all! I'm getting a minor surgery to my right hand this friday for Dupuytren's contracture. The doctor said that I had to stop smoking during recovery has it will interfere my hand healing. Is there some known science to this or is it bs ?

www.mayoclinic.org

Dupuytren contracture - Symptoms and causes

www.mayoclinic.org www.mayoclinic.org
Dupuytren's (du-pwe-TRANZ) contracture is a hand deformity that usually develops over years. The condition affects a layer of tissue that lies under the skin of your palm. Knots of tissue form under the skin — eventually creating a thick cord that can pull one or more fingers into a bent position.
The affected fingers can't be straightened completely, which can complicate everyday activities such as placing your hands
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Here's what I found but coming from the CDC the credibility for me is pretty low to none.
blog.orthoindy.com

Does smoking slow down the healing process after surgery? | OrthoIndy Blog

Quitting before your procedure and not smoking afterward can significantly increase your chances of healing faster. It allows more oxygen to reach your cells and increases blood flow which helps your body heal.
blog.orthoindy.com

According to CDC, smoking is the number one cause of preventable death and smokers often die 10 years earlier than nonsmokers. Smoking also affects your body’s ability to recover after a surgical procedure.

In fact, quitting before your procedure and not smoking afterward can significantly increase your chances of healing faster. It allows more oxygen to reach your cells and increases blood flow which helps your body heal.

Dr. Kevin O’Neill, an OrthoIndy spine surgeon, knows just how big of an impact smoking can have on the recovery process.

”Many of the negative effects of smoking on patients undergoing surgery can be avoided by stopping smoking prior to surgery, staying away from cigarettes during the recovery period and ideally – quitting forever,” said Dr. O’Neill.

“Stopping well before surgery allows your body time to heal from the damage smoking causes, which can lower the risks of complications.”

Smoking effects after surgery​

  • Increased chance of having complications such as heart attack, stroke, sepsis or shock, compared to non-smokers
  • Surgical wounds are less likely to heal properly and have a higher risk of infection
  • Bones will take longer to heal than a non-smoker
  • Weakens immune system
Smoking significantly slows down the healing process after surgery. Bones need nutrients in order to heal. Nicotine decreases the size of the blood vessels which results in fewer nutrients reaching the bone. Therefore, it takes longer for the bone to heal than a non-smoker.

It’s also important to be mindful to stop smoking if your child has surgery as it can affect their recovery process as well.

“The most obvious complication after surgery is related to lung function, such as an increased risk of pneumonia. But smoking also increases the risk of a poor outcome from the surgery itself,” said Dr. O’Neill.

“Smoking impairs the formation of small blood vessels and therefore impairs the ability to heal. This means that a patient is at higher risk of wound complication and infection. In orthopedic surgery, this means that the bones may not heal. Any of these complications may then require even further surgery.”
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I had surgery on my wrist in summer 2020 (complicated fracture). The doctor said that, despite the operation, I would have a bad chance of the bone healing again. I had waited too long to finally see a doctor as I wasn't in very severe pain.

He also gave me a lecture on smoking and said that if I don't quit the operation may be free. I did NOT stop smoking. However, I have limited consumption a little. In addition to my daily food supplements, I took L-arginine to promote blood circulation. I found a special homeopathic remedy (Ruta graveolens) for bone healing. In addition, a physiotherapist treated me with ultrasound to increase blood flow deep in the tissue.

After 6 weeks the CT control and the bone had grown together perfectly. However, I knew that my wounds would heal very quickly. So I just followed my gut instinct and gave my body a little extra support. I mean to say that it depends on the individual state of health. For someone who has had mild circulatory problems in the past, it may be advisable not to smoke for a while before and after surgery.

I hope the operation goes well and I wish you a speedy healing and recovery. :flowers:
 
This may not be good advice, but it's my two cents. I had a couple of medical procedures, nothing huge though. A few of them were dental the rest were for my back and nerve issues. Every time the doctor said I had to quit smoking for each surgery because it affects nerve repair. I lied and said I had quit smoking. The only problems I noticed was dehydration due to medication so I did smoke a little less. I recovered perfectly fine each time.

I am not a doctor and I am not recommending anyone do what I do, this was just my experience.
 
Nicotine decreases the size of the blood vessels
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nicotine is a light vasoconstrictor sure but it's not the only constituent in cigarettes(and commercial cigarette), saying it decreases blood vessels is irrelevant when you're inhaling strychnine and cyanide

the adrenergic effect of tobacco could even be beneficial, for example:

Medications often used for treating high blood pressure that belong to the drug class known as beta adrenergic blocking agents (beta-blockers) have been reported to cause fibrotic tissue disorders.
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Causes Of Dupuytrens Disease Trauma Genetics Medications

Most doctors agree Dupuytren's disease is most likely caused by trauma, but can be influenced by diabetes, genetics, medications, supplements, vitamins, and other related conditions.
www.pdlabs.net
 
PlatonicSkeptic said:
nicotine is a light vasoconstrictor sure but it's not the only constituent in cigarettes(and commercial cigarette), saying it decreases blood vessels is irrelevant when you're inhaling strychnine and cyanide

the adrenergic effect of tobacco could even be beneficial, for example:



Causes Of Dupuytrens Disease Trauma Genetics Medications

Most doctors agree Dupuytren's disease is most likely caused by trauma, but can be influenced by diabetes, genetics, medications, supplements, vitamins, and other related conditions.
www.pdlabs.net
Click to expand...
Maybe the hypotheses that vibration or trauma to hand has some value in my case. It started 1 year after I began trucking.

The steering wheel has pretty much a permanent vibration. Hopefully my hand will be ready for heavy work in the garden I have something pretty big planned this year.
 
Hello Esprit. Several years ago I had small operations in gynecology and stamotology, there was a ban on smoking, I could only reduce the amount, at my own peril and risk., all my tissues healed well and there was no pathology. Perhaps they are right about the vessels and their constriction, But if it turns out that you cannot quit, take steps to ensure good blood flow to this part of the body and to the blood vessels in general.
 
It is common in USA for surgeons to refuse elective surgery to smokers because of the greatly increased chances for complication. This is what I was taught, but I have not researched the subject. deeply. Delayed wound healing and delayed fracture unions are common and worrisome in this group. It may be that some are at higher risk for such issues. Also there is increased risk of DVT following a period of reduced mobility, which can be deadly. All surgeons (in USA anyway) will try hard to reduce bad outcomes and also (mainly?) to limit any unnecessary liability risk exposure. I don't know any cosmetic surgeons that will operate on smokers.

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