title: [Wound healing complications in smokers, non-smokers and after abstinence from smoking].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pulmonary and cardiovascular ramifications of smoking are well documented and this also applies to increased wound healing complications in smokers. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether preoperatively refraining from smoking would affect the incidence of wound healing disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2006 and 2008 a total of 295 patients underwent aesthetic (n = 167) or reconstructive surgery (n = 128). They were divided into three groups: A (n = 98) non-smokers for at least 2 years, B (n = 99) patients who refrained from smoking 6 weeks prior to surgery and C (n = 98) smokers. Smoking abstinence was verified by cotinine tests. Wound healing complications were defined as dehiscent wounds, wound infections, atypical scar formation and adiponecrosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Smokers developed wound healing complications in 48.2% of cases, non-smokers in 21.0% and patients who had stopped smoking for 6 weeks in 30.8% of cases (p = 0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elective surgery should only be performed on non-smokers and smokers who had refrained from smoking for at least 6 weeks to reduce wound healing complications as far as possible.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hand-, Plastische und Rekonstruktive Chirurgie, Schwerbrandverletztenzentrum Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, BG-Unfallklinik Ludwigshafen, Ludwig-Guttmann-Str. 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Deutschland. olegoertz@gmx.de
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Goertz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kapalschinski
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Skorzinski
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kolbenschlag
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daigeler
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirsch
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Homann
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Muehlberger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012306:Risk; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013518:Surgery, Plastic; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult