Abstract
Smoking worsens surgical treatment outcomes: Smokers have more complications, spent longer time at postoperative wards / intensive care units, have longer overall hospitalization time after surgery, healing process is slower. In addition to the deterioration of patient comfort, it is also an economic burden for the health care unit.
The surgery results are significantly better especially if the patient stops smoking at least 3-6 weeks before the surgery - but every day without cigarettes is a benefit. Except of acute cases, the preoperative preparation should include recommendation to quit smoking as long as possible before elective surgery and to offer treatment of tobacco dependence to the patient.