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HEALTH-SMOKING-SURGERY-WHO
No smoking four weeks before operation cuts risks: WHO
GENEVA, Jan 20, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Patients who stop smoking at least four
weeks before an operation significantly reduce the risk of having
postsurgical complications because their blood flow improves, according to a
study published Monday.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) study argued that minor or non-
essential operations on regular smokers could be delayed to give them time to
quit and thereby improve outcomes such as wound healing and heart function.
The WHO study, conducted in cooperation with the University of Newcastle,
Australia and the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA),
found that every additional tobacco-free week beyond the four weeks improved
health outcomes by 19 percent.
“The report provides evidence that there are advantages to postponing minor
or non-emergency surgery to give patients the opportunity to quit smoking,
resulting in a better health outcome,” Dr Vinayak Prasad, head of the No
Tobacco unit at WHO, said in a statement.
The study found that nicotine and carbon monoxide, both present in
cigarettes, can decrease oxygen levels and greatly increase risk of heart-
related complications.
It said the damage on lungs from tobacco smoke also made it difficult for
the proper amount of air to flow through, and found that smoking could delay
wound healing because of its distorting effect on the patient’s immune
system.
“Smoking just one cigarette decreases the body’s ability to deliver
necessary nutrients for healing after surgery,” it said.
WHO said that all countries should build cessation programmes and
educational campaigns into their health systems to spread awareness and help
people to quit smoking.
BSS/AFP/RY/1955 hrs