Preoperative smoking cessation: Is it a trigger for long-term abstinence?

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Perioperative smoking cessation is known to reduce wound-healing complications.
• The long-term impact of perioperative smoking cessation on sustained abstinence after elective plastic surgery is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether adherence to short-term perioperative smoking cessation instructions is associated with continued abstinence post-surgery in patients undergoing elective plastic surgery.

Main Methods:

• Patients undergoing elective plastic surgery were instructed to quit smoking at least 4 weeks before and remain abstinent for 4 weeks after surgery.
• Patients were categorized as compliant or non-compliant with preoperative smoking cessation guidance.
• Follow-up interviews were conducted to assess smoking status.

Main Results:

• Elective plastic surgery can act as a "teachable moment," extending the immediate smoke-free period.
• Short-term perioperative smoking cessation instructions alone are seldom sufficient for achieving lasting abstinence.
• A significant portion of patients did not maintain abstinence long-term despite initial compliance.

Conclusions:

• While perioperative smoking cessation can temporarily reduce smoking rates, it does not guarantee sustained abstinence.
• Integrated, structured cessation programs combined with perioperative counseling are likely necessary to achieve enduring behavioral change.
• Further research into effective long-term smoking cessation strategies in the context of plastic surgery is warranted.