Cholecystectomy and wound complications: smoking worsens risk

In the United States, approximately 800,000 cholecystectomies are performed annually. We sought to determine the influence of preoperative smoking on postcholecystectomy wound complication rates.

Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2005-2011), patients aged ≥18 y who underwent elective open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for benign gallbladder disease were identified using current procedural terminology codes. Multivariate regression was performed to determine the association between smoking status and wound complications, by surgical approach.

Of 143,753 identified patients, 128,692 (89.5%) underwent LC, 27,788 (19.3%) were active smokers, and 100,710 (70.2%) were females. Active smokers were younger than nonsmokers (mean + standard deviation age: 44.2 (14.9) versus 51.6 (17.9) years); P < 0.001) and had fewer comorbidities. Within 30-d postcholecystectomy, wound complications were reported in 2011 (1.4%) patients. Compared with nonsmokers, active smokers demonstrated increased odds of wound complications after both open cholecystectomy (odds ratio 1.28; P = 0.010) and LC (odds ratio 1.20; P = 0.020) after adjustment for demographic and clinical characteristics. Having wound complications increased the average postoperative length of stay by 2-4 d (P <0.001).

Active smokers are more likely to develop wound complications after cholecystectomy, regardless of surgical approach. Occurrence of wound complications consequently increases postoperative length of stay. Smoking abstinence before cholecystectomy may reduce the burden associated with wound complications.