The Effectiveness of a Perioperative Smoking Cessation Program

Intensive Intervention on Smoking Cessation in Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery: The Role of Family Physicians

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the role of physicians in the intensive intervention and education regarding the smoking cessation of patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia. Materials and Methods: A randomised prospective study was conducted in family physicians' clinics in which smokers of both sexes, aged 21-65 years, without cognitive impairments, and who were not addicted to psychoactive substances voluntarily participated. Four weeks preoperatively, 120 smokers were randomised into two equal groups; the intervention group (IG) underwent an intervention for the purpose of smoking cessation and the control group (CG) underwent no intervention. Biochemical tests were performed in order to determine the smoking status of the participants in the phase of randomisation, one week preoperatively, as well as 40, 120, and 180 days and 12 months postoperatively. The examinees of the IG talked to the physician five times and received 140 telephone messages, leaflets, and motivational letters along with the pharmacotherapy, while the participants in the CG received little or no advice on smoking cessation. Results: The results of this study confirmed a significant influence of the intervention and education on the smoking abstinence in the IG compared to the CG (p < 0.001). The smokers in the IG had 7.31 (95% CI: 2.32-23.04) times greater odds of abstinence upon the 12-month follow-up than the smokers in the CG. The smokers in the IG who did not stop smoking had a lower degree of dependence and smoked fewer cigarettes (p < 0.0001) compared to those in the CG, as well as a multiple times higher prevalence of short- and long-term abstinence. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the intensive intervention and education can motivate patients preparing for elective surgery to stop smoking in the short- and long term.

Preoperative intervention for smoking cessation: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Smoking is associated with increased postoperative complications. Pre-surgical smoking cessation remains a challenge. Our aim was to summarize pre-hospital smoking cessation interventions and impact on smoking cessation rates.

METHODS

Independent review of English language articles identified from systematic searches of MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature databases from 1998 to 2019 was performed (PROSPERO registration number CRD42021247927). Studies of adult patients enrolled in a pre-hospital smoking cessation intervention were included. Studies with historical controls or only self-reported outcomes were excluded.

RESULTS

Nine articles including 1762 patients were identified. Exhaled CO was used to confirm cessation. Six studies reported smoking status day of surgery. Interventions included NRT, hand-held technology, e-cigarettes, decision aids/counseling and medications. Four studies demonstrated a difference in smoking cessation rates. Ethics and study appraisal were assessed using ROB2.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the variability of interventions, settings, and outcomes, best practice for successful pre-hospital smoking cessation in surgery clinics would benefit from ongoing investigation.

Peri-operative tobacco cessation interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tobacco smoking is associated with a substantially increased risk of postoperative complications. The peri-operative period offers a unique opportunity to support patients to stop tobacco smoking, avoid complications and improve long-term health. This systematic review provides an up-to-date summary of the evidence for tobacco cessation interventions in surgical patients. We conducted a systematic search of randomised controlled trials of tobacco cessation interventions in the peri-operative period. Quantitative synthesis of the abstinence outcomes data was by random-effects meta-analysis. The primary outcome of the meta-analysis was abstinence at the time of surgery, and the secondary outcome was abstinence at 12 months. Thirty-eight studies are included in the review (7310 randomised participants) and 26 studies are included in the meta-analysis (5969 randomised participants). Studies were pooled for subgroup analysis in two ways: by the timing of intervention delivery within the peri-operative period and by the intensity of the intervention protocol. We judged the quality of evidence as moderate, reflecting the degree of heterogeneity and the high risk of bias. Overall, peri-operative tobacco cessation interventions increased successful abstinence both at the time of surgery, risk ratio (95%CI) 1.48 (1.20-1.83), number needed to treat 7; and 12 months after surgery, risk ratio (95%CI) 1.62 (1.29-2.03), number needed to treat 9. More work is needed to inform the design and optimal delivery of interventions that are acceptable to patients and that can be incorporated into contemporary elective and urgent surgical pathways. Future trials should use standardised outcome measures.

Assessing the effects of smoking status on outcomes of elective minimally invasive paraesophageal hernia repair

BACKGROUND

Patients are often advised on smoking cessation prior to elective surgical interventions, but the impact of active smoking on paraesophageal hernia repair (PEHR) outcomes is unclear. The objective of this cohort study was to evaluate the impact of active smoking on short-term outcomes following PEHR.

METHODS

Patients who underwent elective PEHR at an academic institution between 2011 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database from 2010 to 2021 was queried for PEHR. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and 30-day post-operative data were collected and maintained in an IRB-approved database. Cohorts were stratified by active smoking status. Primary outcomes included rates of death or serious morbidity (DSM) and radiographically identified recurrence. Bivariate and multivariable regressions were performed, and p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

538 patients underwent elective PEHR in the single-institution cohort, of whom 5.8% (n = 31) were smokers. 77.7% (n = 394) were female, median age was 67 [IQR 59, 74] years, and median follow-up was 25.3 [IQR 3.2, 53.6] months. Rates of DSM (non-smoker 4.5% vs smoker 6.5%, p = 0.62) and hernia recurrence (33.3% vs 48.4%, p = 0.09) did not differ significantly. On multivariable analysis, smoking status was not associated with any outcome (p > 0.2). On NSQIP analysis, 38,284 PEHRs were identified, of whom 8.6% (n = 3584) were smokers. Increased DSM was observed among smokers (non-smoker 5.1%, smoker 6.2%, p = 0.004). Smoking status was independently associated with increased risk of DSM (OR 1.36, p < 0.001), respiratory complications (OR 1.94, p < 0.001), 30-day readmission (OR 1.21, p = 0.01), and discharge to higher level of care (OR 1.59, p = 0.01). No difference was seen in 30-day mortality or wound complications.

CONCLUSION

Smoking status confers a small increased risk of short-term morbidity following elective PEHR without increased risk of mortality or hernia recurrence. While smoking cessation should be encouraged for all active smokers, minimally invasive PEHR in symptomatic patients should not be delayed on account of patient smoking status.

The effect of preoperative behaviour change interventions on pre- and post-surgery health behaviours, health outcomes, and health inequalities in adults: A systematic review and meta-analyses

BACKGROUND

Prehabilitation interventions are being delivered across surgical specialities to improve health risk behaviours leading to better surgical outcomes and potentially reduce length of hospital stay. Most previous research has focused on specific surgery specialities and has not considered the impact of interventions on health inequalities, nor whether prehabilitation improves health behaviour risk profiles beyond surgery. The aim of this review was to examine behavioural Prehabilitation interventions across surgeries to inform policy makers and commissioners of the best available evidence.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to determine the effect of behavioural prehabilitation interventions targeting at least one of: smoking behaviour, alcohol use, physical activity, dietary intake (including weight loss interventions) on pre- and post-surgery health behaviours, health outcomes, and health inequalities. The comparator was usual care or no treatment. MEDLINE, PubMed, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Clinical trials and Embase databases were searched from inception to May 2021, and the MEDLINE search was updated twice, most recently in March 2023. Two reviewers independently identified eligible studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Outcomes were length of stay, six-minute walk test, behaviours (smoking, diet, physical activity, weight change, and alcohol), and quality of life. Sixty-seven trials were included; 49 interventions targeted a single behaviour and 18 targeted multiple behaviours. No trials examined effects by equality measures. Length of stay in the intervention group was 1.5 days shorter than the comparator (n = 9 trials, 95% CI -2.6 to -0.4, p = 0.01, I2 83%), although in sensitivity analysis prehabilitation had the most impact in lung cancer patients (-3.5 days). Pre-surgery, there was a mean difference of 31.8 m in the six-minute walk test favouring the prehabilitation group (n = 19 trials, 95% CI 21.2 to 42.4m, I2 55%, P <0.001) and this was sustained to 4-weeks post-surgery (n = 9 trials, mean difference = 34.4m (95%CI 12.8 to 56.0, I2 72%, P = 0.002)). Smoking cessation was greater in the prehabilitation group before surgery (RR 2.9, 95% CI 1.7 to 4.8, I2 84%), and this was sustained at 12 months post-surgery (RR 1.74 (95% CI 1.20 to 2.55, I2 43%, Tau2 0.09, p = 0.004)There was no difference in pre-surgery quality of life (n = 12 trials) or BMI (n = 4 trials).

CONCLUSIONS

Behavioural prehabilitation interventions reduced length of stay by 1.5 days, although in sensitivity analysis the difference was only found for Prehabilitation interventions for lung cancer. Prehabilitation can improve functional capacity and smoking outcomes just before surgery. That improvements in smoking outcomes were sustained at 12-months post-surgery suggests that the surgical encounter holds promise as a teachable moment for longer-term behavioural change. Given the paucity of data on the effects on other behavioural risk factors, more research grounded in behavioural science and with longer-term follow-up is needed to further investigate this potential.

Smoking Cessation for Preoperative Optimization

Cigarette smoking is associated with pulmonary and cardiovascular disease and confers increased postoperative morbidity and mortality. Smoking cessation in the weeks before surgery can mitigate these risks, and surgeons should screen patients for smoking before a scheduled operation so that appropriate smoking cessation education and resources can be given. Interventions that combine nicotine replacement therapy, pharmacotherapy, and counseling are effective to achieve durable smoking cessation. When trying to stop smoking in the preoperative period, surgical patients experience much higher than average cessation rates compared with the general population, indicating that the time around surgery is ripe for motivating and sustaining behavior change. This chapter summarizes the impact of smoking on postoperative outcomes in abdominal and colorectal surgery, the benefits of smoking cessation, and the impact of interventions aimed to reduce smoking before surgery.

Efficacy of Presurgical Interventions to Promote Smoking Cessation: A Systematic Review

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of presurgical interventions for promoting smoking cessation in terms of achieving smoking abstinence and reducing surgical complication rates. A systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published from March 2009 to April 2021 was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. References were found in MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science (WOS), and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). RCTs comparing the efficacy of a smoking cessation program directed at an intervention group (IG) versus the usual intervention or another directed at a control group (CG) were included. No language restrictions were applied in the search. All approaches to smoking cessation were admitted (face-to-face, telephone, group, individual, multicomponent, etc.), as were all methods for assessing abstinence, follow-up times, surgical specialties, definitions of smokers, and all types of surgical complications. Four hundred forty-four references were pulled out, and 79 duplicates were discarded. We excluded 346 records that were after application of the inclusion/exclusion criteria. In addition to the remaining 19 articles, 1 article obtained from citation searches was also assessed. We finally included 11 original articles in this systematic review, corresponding to 9 studies, because 2 of the RCTs had 2 different articles referring to different aspects of the same study. The results showed long-term postoperative (6 to 12 months) abstinence rates between 25.0% and 36.4% in RCTs with intensive multicomponent interventions, versus rates about 13.0% in brief interventions. Two multicomponent interventions obtained significant improvements regarding the reduction of short-term postoperative surgical complications. In conclusion, presurgical multicomponent smoking cessation interventions are more effective than brief interventions in terms of achieving abstinence and reducing surgical complications. The follow-up time and the intensity of the interventions were predictors of dropout.

Is There a Smoking Gun for Nicotine? A Review of the Role of Nicotine in Dermatologic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Dermatologic surgeons are faced with a dilemma when counseling actively smoking patients who require dermatologic surgery: recommend total cessation of all nicotine that is associated with extremely high rates of cessation failure or recommend nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

OBJECTIVE

To determine the safety of NRT in dermatologic surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed was queried: [(nicotine OR electronic cigarettes) AND (flap OR wound healing)].

RESULTS

Smoking tobacco is detrimental to wound healing, supported by ample evidence (1A). Perioperative smoking cessation reduces risk (1B). Basic science demonstrates both a benefit and detriment of nicotine depending on the factor studied (2A). Human studies suggest no detrimental effect of nicotine on perioperative complications (1B). Nicotine may be detrimental to flaps, but evidence is limited to basic science (2A).

CONCLUSION

Dermatologists should consider recommending nicotine replacement for smokers in the perioperative period. Evidence is lacking to determine safety in flaps. It is presumed based on animal studies that nicotine has a negative effect on flaps; however, it is likely less than tobacco. Weighing the risk of cessation failure without nicotine replacement versus nicotine replacement after flap is challenging. Electronic cigarettes should be discouraged as a means of NRT.

Anesthesiologists and the Other Pandemic: Tobacco Use

Tobacco use will kill a projected 1 billion people in the 21st century in one of the deadliest pandemics in history. Tobacco use disorder is a disease with a natural history, pathophysiology, and effective treatment options. Anesthesiologists can play a unique role in fighting this pandemic, providing both immediate (reduction in perioperative risk) and long-term (reduction in tobacco-related diseases) benefits to their patients who are its victims. Receiving surgery is one of the most powerful stimuli to quit tobacco. Tobacco treatments that combine counseling and pharmacotherapy (e.g., nicotine replacement therapy) can further increase quit rates and reduce risk of morbidity such as pulmonary and wound-related complications. The perioperative setting provides a great opportunity to implement multimodal perianesthesia tobacco treatment, which combines multiple evidence-based tactics to implement the four core components of consistent ascertainment and documentation of tobacco use, advice to quit, access to pharmacotherapy, and referral to counseling resources.

Preoperative smoking cessation program in patients undergoing intermediate to high-risk surgery: a randomized, single-blinded, controlled, superiority trial

Background

At present, effectively implementing smoking cessation programs in the health care system constitutes a major challenge. A unique opportunity to initiate smoking cessation focuses on smokers scheduled for surgery. These patients are not only highly motivated to quit smoking but also likely to benefit from a reduction in postoperative complications which may translate into a decrease of costs. Nevertheless, surgical patients are not routinely informed about the benefits of preoperative smoking cessation. Potential reasons for this missed opportunity may be the lack of time and training of surgeons and anaesthesiologists. We therefore aim to analyse the impact of a preoperative high-intensity smoking cessation intervention on surgical complications up to a 90-day postoperative period in patients of various surgical disciplines. The hypothesis is that a preoperative smoking cessation program improves outcomes in smokers undergoing intermediate to high-risk surgery.

Methods

The present study is a single-centre, randomized trial with two parallel groups of smokers scheduled for surgery comparing surgery alone and surgery with preoperative smoking cessation. We plan to randomize 251 patients. The primary objective is to compare complications between patients with an institutional multifaceted smoking cessation intervention starting 4 weeks before surgery compared to patients in the advice-only group (control group) within a 90-day postoperative period. The primary endpoint is the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI®) within 90 days of surgery. Secondary outcomes include the length of hospital stay, cost of care, quality of life, smoking abstinence, and reduction in nicotine consumption.

Discussion

The hypothesis is that a preoperative smoking cessation program improves outcomes in smokers undergoing surgery.

Trial registration

BASEC #2021-02004; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05192837. Registered on January 14, 2022.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06628-8.

Determinants of tobacco smoking abstinence 1 year after major noncardiac surgery: a secondary analysis of the VISION study

BACKGROUND

Tobacco smoking is a leading preventable cause of death and increases perioperative risk. Determinants of smoking abstinence after noncardiac surgery and the association between smoking and 1-yr vascular outcomes are not fully elucidated.

METHODS

We did a prospective cohort study of 40 004 patients, aged ≥45 yr, enrolled between August 2007 and November 2013, and followed for 1 yr after surgery. Patients were categorised as never smokers, ex-smokers (quit >4 weeks preoperatively), and current smokers (smoking ≤4 weeks preoperatively). Primary outcome was abstinence at 1 yr. Secondary outcome was a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke at 1 yr.

RESULTS

Of 4658 current smokers, 1838 (39.5%) were abstinent 1 yr after surgery. Median (inter-quartile range) time to resumption was 7 (3-23) days post-surgery. Perioperatively, 7.2% of current smokers obtained smoking cessation pharmacotherapy. Older age (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.32); having recent coronary artery disease (aRR 1.41; 95% CI: 1.29-1.55); cancer (aRR 1.37; 95% CI: 1.18-1.59); and undergoing major vascular (aRR 1.20; 95% CI: 1.02-1.41), urgent/emergent (aRR 1.14; 95% CI: 1.05-1.23), or thoracic (aRR 1.41; 95% CI: 1.26-1.56) surgeries increased abstinence. One-year abstinence was less likely when patients stopped smoking 0-1 day (aRR 0.53; 95% CI: 0.43-0.66) and 2-14 days (aRR 0.76; 95% CI: 0.71-0.82) before surgery compared with >14 days before surgery. Current smokers (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.14; 95% CI: 1.01-1.29) and ex-smokers (aHR 1.11; 95% CI: 1.03-1.21) had higher risk of the 1-yr vascular outcome compared with never smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term tobacco abstinence is more likely after major surgery in those with serious medical comorbidities. Interventions to prevent smoking resumption after surgery remain a priority. Clinical trial registration NCT00512109.

Why and How Smoking Cessation Must Be Implemented in Urology Clinics as a Standard of Care

Smoking cessation is a cost-efficient and important intervention in urology. Implementation studies are required to identify how support for smoking cessation can be successfully introduced in daily clinical routine in urology.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Cranial Tumor Resection: A Review

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols describe a standardized method of preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative care to enhance outcomes and minimize complication risks surrounding elective surgical intervention. A growing body of evidence is being generated as we learn to apply principles of ERAS standardization to neurosurgical patients. First applied in spinal surgery, ERAS protocols have been extended to cranial neuro-oncological procedures. This review synthesizes recent findings to generate evidence-based guidelines to manage neurosurgical oncology patients with standardized systems and assess ability of these systems to coordinate multidisciplinary, patient-centric care efforts. Furthermore, we highlight the potential utility of multimedia, app-based communication platforms to facilitate patient education, autonomy, and team communication within each of the three settings.

Smoking cessation medicines and e-cigarettes: a systematic review, network meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis

BACKGROUND

Cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of early death. Varenicline [Champix (UK), Pfizer Europe MA EEIG, Brussels, Belgium; or Chantix (USA), Pfizer Inc., Mission, KS, USA], bupropion (Zyban; GlaxoSmithKline, Brentford, UK) and nicotine replacement therapy are licensed aids for quitting smoking in the UK. Although not licensed, e-cigarettes may also be used in English smoking cessation services. Concerns have been raised about the safety of these medicines and e-cigarettes.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the clinical effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of smoking cessation medicines and e-cigarettes.

DESIGN

Systematic reviews, network meta-analyses and cost-effectiveness analysis informed by the network meta-analysis results.

SETTING

Primary care practices, hospitals, clinics, universities, workplaces, nursing or residential homes.

PARTICIPANTS

Smokers aged ≥ 18 years of all ethnicities using UK-licensed smoking cessation therapies and/or e-cigarettes.

INTERVENTIONS

Varenicline, bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy as monotherapies and in combination treatments at standard, low or high dose, combination nicotine replacement therapy and e-cigarette monotherapies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Effectiveness - continuous or sustained abstinence. Safety - serious adverse events, major adverse cardiovascular events and major adverse neuropsychiatric events.

DATA SOURCES

Ten databases, reference lists of relevant research articles and previous reviews. Searches were performed from inception until 16 March 2017 and updated on 19 February 2019.

REVIEW METHODS

Three reviewers screened the search results. Data were extracted and risk of bias was assessed by one reviewer and checked by the other reviewers. Network meta-analyses were conducted for effectiveness and safety outcomes. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated using an amended version of the Benefits of Smoking Cessation on Outcomes model.

RESULTS

Most monotherapies and combination treatments were more effective than placebo at achieving sustained abstinence. Varenicline standard plus nicotine replacement therapy standard (odds ratio 5.75, 95% credible interval 2.27 to 14.90) was ranked first for sustained abstinence, followed by e-cigarette low (odds ratio 3.22, 95% credible interval 0.97 to 12.60), although these estimates have high uncertainty. We found effect modification for counselling and dependence, with a higher proportion of smokers who received counselling achieving sustained abstinence than those who did not receive counselling, and higher odds of sustained abstinence among participants with higher average dependence scores. We found that bupropion standard increased odds of serious adverse events compared with placebo (odds ratio 1.27, 95% credible interval 1.04 to 1.58). There were no differences between interventions in terms of major adverse cardiovascular events. There was evidence of increased odds of major adverse neuropsychiatric events for smokers randomised to varenicline standard compared with those randomised to bupropion standard (odds ratio 1.43, 95% credible interval 1.02 to 2.09). There was a high level of uncertainty about the most cost-effective intervention, although all were cost-effective compared with nicotine replacement therapy low at the £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year threshold. E-cigarette low appeared to be most cost-effective in the base case, followed by varenicline standard plus nicotine replacement therapy standard. When the impact of major adverse neuropsychiatric events was excluded, varenicline standard plus nicotine replacement therapy standard was most cost-effective, followed by varenicline low plus nicotine replacement therapy standard. When limited to licensed interventions in the UK, nicotine replacement therapy standard was most cost-effective, followed by varenicline standard.

LIMITATIONS

Comparisons between active interventions were informed almost exclusively by indirect evidence. Findings were imprecise because of the small numbers of adverse events identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined therapies of medicines are among the most clinically effective, safe and cost-effective treatment options for smokers. Although the combined therapy of nicotine replacement therapy and varenicline at standard doses was the most effective treatment, this is currently unlicensed for use in the UK.

FUTURE WORK

Researchers should examine the use of these treatments alongside counselling and continue investigating the long-term effectiveness and safety of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation compared with active interventions such as nicotine replacement therapy.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42016041302.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 25, No. 59. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

The effects of preoperative alcohol, tobacco, and psychological stress on postoperative complications: a prospective observational study

Background

Postoperative complications occur frequently, despite progress in anesthetic pharmacology and surgical techniques. Although habits, such as alcohol and tobacco use, and mental health have been studied individually as modifying factors, few studies have examined the relationship between multiple lifestyle choices and postoperative complications in patients undergoing surgery. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the associations between unhealthy lifestyle choices and postoperative complications.

Methods

We included 730 patients who underwent surgery in our department between March 2015 and April 2016. Participants completed preoperative questionnaires, including the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, and tests for psychological stress (6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Multivariable logistic analysis was used to analyze the association of preoperative drug dependence and psychological stress with postoperative complications.

Results

Of the 721 cases analyzed, 461 (64%) were women. The median age of patients was 62 years (interquartile range: 48–71). At the time of surgical decision-making, 429 out of 710 respondents (60%) had a drinking habit, and 144 out of 693 respondents (21%) had a smoking habit during the preceding year. Seventy-nine patients had developed complications. Multivariable analysis revealed that old age (p = 0.020), psychological stress (p = 0.041), and longer anesthesia time (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with postoperative complications. Drinking or smoking variables were not associated with postoperative complications.

Conclusions

Preoperative psychological stress, as evaluated with the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, is associated with the risk of postoperative complications.

Clinical practice guideline: evidence, recommendations and algorithm for the preoperative optimization of anemia, hyperglycemia and smoking

Preoperative optimization has not been explored comprehensively in the surgical literature, as this responsibility has often been divided among surgery, anesthesia and medicine. We developed an evidence-based clinical practice guideline to summarize existing evidence and present diagnostic and treatment algorithms for use by surgeons caring for patients scheduled to undergo major elective surgery. We focus on 3 common comorbid conditions seen across surgical specialties - anemia, hyperglycemia and smoking - as these conditions increase complication rates in patients undergoing major surgery and can be optimized successfully as soon as 6-8 weeks before surgery. With the ability to address these conditions earlier in the patient journey, surgeons can positively affect patient outcomes. The aim of this guideline is to bring optimization in the preoperative period under the existing umbrella of evidence-based surgical care.

Pre-admission interventions (prehabilitation) to improve outcome after major elective surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the benefits and harms of pre-admission interventions (prehabilitation) on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing major elective surgery.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (published or unpublished). We searched Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, DARE, HTA and NHS EED, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsychINFO and ISI Web of Science (June 2020).

SETTING

Secondary care.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients (≥18 years) undergoing major elective surgery (curative or palliative).

INTERVENTIONS

Any intervention administered in the preoperative period with the aim of improving postoperative outcomes.

OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Primary outcomes were 30-day mortality, hospital length of stay (LoS) and postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes included LoS in intensive care unit or high dependency unit, perioperative morbidity, hospital readmission, postoperative pain, heath-related quality of life, outcomes specific to the intervention, intervention-specific adverse events and resource use.

REVIEW METHODS

Two authors independently extracted data from eligible RCTs and assessed risk of bias and the certainty of evidence using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to pool data across trials.

RESULTS

178 RCTs including eight types of intervention were included. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT), immunonutrition and multimodal interventions reduced hospital LoS (mean difference vs usual care: -1.81 days, 95% CI -2.31 to -1.31; -2.11 days, 95% CI -3.07 to -1.15; -1.67 days, 95% CI -2.31 to -1.03, respectively). Immunonutrition reduced infective complications (risk ratio (RR) 0.64 95% CI 0.40 to 1.01) and IMT, and exercise reduced postoperative pulmonary complications (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.80, and RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.75, respectively). Smoking cessation interventions reduced wound infections (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.64).

CONCLUSIONS

Some prehabilitation interventions may reduce postoperative LoS and complications but the quality of the evidence was low.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42015019191.

Impact of a regional smoking cessation intervention for vascular surgery patients

OBJECTIVE

Tobacco use is common among vascular surgery patients and negatively impacts outcomes and longevity. In the second quarter of 2018, a statewide vascular quality collaborative launched an initiative across its 35 participating hospitals to promote smoking cessation at the time of surgery. This intervention was based on the Vascular Physician Offer and Report (VAPOR) trial and consisted of 3 components: brief physician-delivered advice, referral to telephone-based counseling, and nicotine replacement therapy. The goal of this study is to evaluate the results of this intervention.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing vascular surgery between 2018 and 2020. Procedures included open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, endovascular aneurysm repair, open vascular bypass, open thrombectomy, carotid endarterectomy, and carotid stenting. The primary explanatory variables were receipt of tobacco cessation interventions as documented in the medical record. The primary outcome was tobacco cessation, captured during 30-day and 1-year chart review and/or patient follow-up. A multivariable logistic regression model was calculated to estimate the association of covariates with smoking cessation while adjusting for patient and clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 13,890 patients underwent surgery during the study period. The mean age was 69.4 ± 10 years; 4687 patients (34%) were female, and 5158 patients (37%) were current smokers. At least one smoking cessation component was delivered to 2245 patients (44% of smokers). The quit rate was 35% among 4671 patients with 30-day follow-up and 43% among 2936 patients with 1-year follow up. On multivariable regression, at 30 days, receiving two intervention components was associated with 1.29 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.55) higher odds of quitting. At both time points, smoking cessation was also associated with undergoing an emergent procedure (30-day odds ratio [OR], 1.52; 95% CI, 1.16-1.99; 1-year OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.01-1.97) and undergoing open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (30-day OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.20-2.43; 1-year OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.11-2.78).

CONCLUSIONS

In a cohort of vascular surgical patients where tobacco use was common, nearly one-half of patients quit smoking 1 year after surgery. Receiving two smoking cessation intervention components was associated with quitting at 30 days. Overall, these results demonstrate encouraging quit rates and identify an opportunity for longer-term intervention to maintain even greater 1-year tobacco cessation.

Smoking Characteristics and Readiness-to-Quit Status Among Smokers Attending Preoperative Assessment Clinic - A Prospective Cohort Study

Background

Perioperative smoking is associated with an increased incidence of general postoperative morbidity and mortality. The perioperative period is recognized as an important “teachable moment” that can motivate patients to adopt health changing behaviors.

Objective

In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of smokers among elective surgical patients in an Asian tertiary hospital. We also investigated their smoking characteristics, previous quitting attempts, readiness-to-quit status as well as knowledge of smoking-related postoperative complications.

Methods

We conducted a single-center prospective cohort study among all patients who attended a preoperative assessment clinic within a 2-month period (August to September 2020) using a preoperative smoking questionnaire.

Results

A total of 3362 patients participated in the study, of which 348 (10.4%) were current smokers. More than half (65.6%) of the smokers had previously attempted to quit smoking, with most (78%) having made more than one attempt. Forty-nine percent of current smokers were in the pre-contemplation stage of quitting and thirty-one percent were in the contemplation stage. Only twenty-one percent were in the preparation stage of quitting. Thirty-eight percent of patients recognized the importance of smoking cessation perioperatively but only twenty-eight percent were confident of quitting perioperatively. Less than sixty percent of smokers were aware of at least one type of smoking-related postoperative complication. Less than half of the patients (45%) had ever received advice on perioperative smoking cessation from the surgeons.

Conclusion

A thorough understanding of smokers’ smoking characteristics, barriers to quit and readiness-to-quit status are crucial to establishing a successful multidisciplinary perioperative smoking cessation program. Counselling should address knowledge deficits and be tailored to a patient’s stage-of-change in order to seize this precious perioperative “teachable moment”.

Implementation of a systematic tobacco treatment protocol in a surgical outpatient setting: a feasibility study

Background

Smoking cessation programs started as late as 4 weeks before surgery reduce perioperative morbidity and death, yet outpatient clinic interventions are rarely provided. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a tobacco treatment protocol designed for an outpatient surgical setting.

Methods

We completed a pre–post feasibility study of the implementation of a systematic, evidence-based tobacco treatment protocol in an outpatient colorectal surgery clinic. Outcomes included smoking prevalence, pre- and postimplementation smoker identification and intervention rates, recruitment, retention, smoking cessation and provider satisfaction.

Results

Preimplementation, 15.5% of 116 surveyed patients were smokers. Fewer than 10% of surveyed patients reported being asked about smoking, and none were offered any cessation intervention. Over a 16-month postimplementation period, 1198 patients were seen on 2103 visits. Of these, 950 (79.3%) patients were asked smoking status on first visit and 1030 (86.0%) were asked on at least 1 visit. Of 169 identified smokers, 99 (58.6%) were referred to follow-up support using an opt-out approach. At 1-, 3- and 6-month follow- up, intention-to-quit rates among 78 enrolled patients were 24.4%, 22.9% and 19.2%, respectively. Postimplementation staff surveys reported that the protocol was easy to use, that staff would use it again and that it had positive patient responses.

Conclusion

Implementation of our smoking cessation protocol in an outpatient surgical clinic was found to be feasible and used minimal clinic resources. This protocol could lead to increases in identification and documentation of smoking status, delivery of smoking cessation interventions and rates of smoking reduction and cessation.

Pre-operative patient optimization to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications-Insights and roles for the respiratory therapist: A narrative review

Background

The preoperative period has gained recognition as a crucial time to identify and manage preoperative medical conditions for preventing perioperative complications. Consequently, preoperative clinics have now become an essential component of perioperative care at many large hospitals. As the prevalence of preoperative clinics continues to grow, and the field of perioperative medicine progresses, respiratory therapists (RTs) will inevitably find a growing role to participate in preoperative patient optimization to mitigate pulmonary complications.

Methods

Keyword searches on perioperative pulmonary complications were conducted on the Medline database via PubMed and identified over 2000 candidate articles for review. Articles were included if they were English only and resulted with one or more of the following search terms; pulmonary complications, postoperative complications, postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), prehabilitation, incentive spirometry, smoking cessation, noninvasive ventilation. Preference was given for meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and systematic reviews. Publications within the past two decades were given additional preference toward final inclusion. The authors discussed eligible articles in group meetings over the span of multiple years to assess relevance and quality of data for narrowing eligible articles to the final selection of publications for the review.

Findings

The following narrative review examines preoperative optimization strategies to prevent PPCs and highlight areas where RTs may play a key role. After examining challenges in defining PPCs, the review examines key risk models available to predict PPCs and their implications for subsequent discussion on preventive measures that RTs may assist with in a multidisciplinary team.

Conclusion

RTs can reduce the health care burden of PPCs by assisting fellow perioperative clinicians in providing respiratory care for patients with premorbid conditions. While much of our review focused on pre-existing pulmonary pathologies and both the pharmacological and nonpharmacological optimization of these pathologies, there are other factors contributing to PPCs deserving future exploration.

Nurse Counseling as Part of a Multicomponent Tobacco Treatment Intervention: An Integrative Review

INTRODUCTION

Although tobacco use is widely recognized as a major cause of preventable morbidity and mortality, tobacco treatment remains challenging.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this integrative review is to synthesize the research findings regarding multicomponent tobacco treatment interventions combining nurse counseling and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

METHODS

Published literature from 1990 through April 2019 was searched using the databases PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus. We extracted data into a literature matrix to facilitate comparison across primary sources and make conclusions about this body of literature as a whole.

FINDINGS

This integrative review includes 21 publications that investigated the effects of tobacco treatment interventions incorporating both nurse counseling and NRT. Articles were reviewed for quality indicators.

RESULTS

The evidence from this set of studies indicates that nurse counseling is an effective intervention when combined with NRT. The most successful interventions included long-term face-to-face counseling with a nurse. In addition, interventions in which longer courses of NRT were offered for free or at subsidized rates were most successful at engendering smoking cessation. Moreover, interventions that maximized social support for participants attempting to quit smoking resulted in favorable outcomes.

DISCUSSION

The findings can provide useful guidance regarding the designing and implementation of effective tobacco treatment interventions that incorporate various components.

CONCLUSION

Nurse counseling augmented by additional effective tobacco treatment therapies including NRT leads to beneficial outcomes in smoking cessation. Future researchers should capitalize on this apparent synergistic relationship between multiple tobacco treatment components.

Causal inference with noisy data: Bias analysis and estimation approaches to simultaneously addressing missingness and misclassification in binary outcomes

Causal inference has been widely conducted in various fields and many methods have been proposed for different settings. However, for noisy data with both mismeasurements and missing observations, those methods often break down. In this paper, we consider a problem that binary outcomes are subject to both missingness and misclassification, when the interest is in estimation of the average treatment effects (ATE). We examine the asymptotic biases caused by ignoring missingness and/or misclassification and establish the intrinsic connections between missingness effects and misclassification effects on the estimation of ATE. We develop valid weighted estimation methods to simultaneously correct for missingness and misclassification effects. To provide protection against model misspecification, we further propose a doubly robust correction method which yields consistent estimators when either the treatment model or the outcome model is misspecified. Simulation studies are conducted to assess the performance of the proposed methods. An application to smoking cessation data is reported to illustrate the use of the proposed methods.

Factors predicting one-year post-surgical mortality amongst older Asian patients undergoing moderate to major non-cardiac surgery - a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

While short-term perioperative outcomes have been well studied in Western surgical populations, the aim of this study is to look at the one-year perioperative mortality and its associated factors in an Asian surgical population after non-cardiac surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 2163 patients aged above 45 undergoing non-cardiac surgery in a university-affiliated tertiary hospital from January to July 2015 was performed. Relevant demographic, clinical and surgical data were analysed to elicit their relationship to mortality at one year after surgery. A univariate analysis was first performed to identify significant variables with p-values ≤ 0.2, which were then analysed using Firth multiple logistic regression to calculate the adjusted odds ratio.

RESULTS

The one-year mortality in our surgical population was 5.9%. The significant factors that increased one-year mortality include smoking (adjusted OR 2.17 (1.02-4.45), p = 0.044), anaemia (adjusted OR 1.32 (1.16-1.47), p < 0.001, for every 1 g/dL drop in haemoglobin level), lower BMI (adjusted OR 0.93 (0.87-0.98), p = 0.005, for every 1 point increase in BMI), Malay and Indian ethnicity (adjusted OR 2.68 (1.53-4.65), p = 0.001), peripheral vascular disease (adjusted OR 4.21 (1.62-10.38), p = 0.004), advanced age (adjusted OR 1.04 (1.01-1.06), p = 0.004, for every one year increase in age), emergency surgery (adjusted OR 2.26 (1.29-3.15), p = 0.005) and malignancy (adjusted OR 3.20 (1.85-5.52), p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that modifiable risk factors such as malnutrition, anaemia and smoking which affect short term mortality extend beyond the immediate perioperative period into longer term outcomes. Identification and optimization of this subset of patients are therefore vital. Further similar large studies should be done to develop a risk scoring system for post-operative long-term outcomes. This would aid clinicians in risk stratification, counselling and surgical planning, which will help in patients' decision making and care planning.

Can Nicotine Replacement Therapy Decrease Complications in Plastic Surgery?

Cigarette smoking has been well demonstrated to be associated with adverse outcomes and increased complications in surgical patients in the operative and postoperative periods. There is general agreement that smoking cessation decreases such risks; however, much debate still exists regarding the most effective modalities for risk mitigation, especially concerning modalities involving nicotine replacement in some form. This article reviews the discussion regarding smoking cessation therapies, in particular those involving nicotine replacement, in the context of mitigating risk in plastic surgery procedures. The recent rise in popularity of electronic cigarettes poses further challenges for clinicians in minimizing risk and optimizing outcomes for patients. Prospective studies including high-level evidence such as randomized controlled clinical trials will be required to help plastic surgeons develop guidelines that will enable optimization of patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Evaluation of a Pilot Perioperative Smoking Cessation Program: A Pre-Post Study

BACKGROUND

Surgical clinic and perioperative settings are critical touchpoints for treating smoking, yet health care systems have not typically prioritized smoking cessation among surgical patients. We evaluated the implementation of a pilot smoking cessation intervention integrated into standard perioperative care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

English-speaking adult smokers undergoing elective surgery in Kaiser Permanente San Francisco before (2015) and after (2016-2017) the implementation of a smoking cessation intervention were included. Provider outcomes included counseling referrals, cessation medication orders (between surgery scheduling and surgery), and preoperative carbon monoxide testing. Patient outcomes included counseling and medication use, smoking status at surgery and 30 d after discharge, and surgical complications. Multivariable logistic regression analyses examined pre-to-post intervention changes in outcomes using electronic health record data and 30-d postdischarge telephone surveys.

RESULTS

The sample included 276 patients (70% male; 59% non-Hispanic white; mean age = 50 y). There were significant pre-to-post increases in tobacco cessation counseling referrals (3% to 28%, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 11.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.78-32.71) and preoperative carbon monoxide testing (38% to 50%, AOR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.10-3.06). At ∼30 d after discharge, patients in the postintervention period were more likely to report smoking abstinence in the previous 7 d (24% pre, 44% post; AOR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.11-5.13) and since hospital discharge (18% pre, 39% post; AOR = 3.20, 95% CI = 1.42-7.23). Cessation medication orders and patient use of counseling and medications increased, whereas surgical complications decreased, but pre-to-post differences were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

A perioperative smoking cessation program integrated into standard care demonstrated positive smoking-related outcomes; however, larger studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs.

E-cigarettes versus nicotine patches for perioperative smoking cessation: a pilot randomized trial

Introduction

Cigarette smoking by surgical patients is associated with increased complications. E-cigarettes have emerged as a potential smoking cessation tool. We sought to determine the feasibility and acceptability of e-cigarettes, compared to nicotine patch, for perioperative smoking cessation in veterans.

Methods

Preoperative patients were randomized to either the nicotine patch group (n = 10) or the e-cigarette group (n = 20). Both groups were given a free 6-week supply in a tapering dose. All patients received brief counseling, a brochure on perioperative smoking cessation, and referral to the California Smokers’ Helpline. The primary outcome was rate of smoking cessation on day of surgery confirmed by exhaled carbon monoxide. Secondary outcomes included smoking habits, pulmonary function, adverse events, and satisfaction with the products on day of surgery and at 8-weeks follow-up.

Results

Biochemically verified smoking cessation on day of surgery was similar in both groups. Change in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 592 ml greater in the e-cigarette group (95% CI [153–1,031] ml, p = 0.01) and change in forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC ratio) was 40.1% greater in the e-cigarette group (95% CI [18.2%–78.4%], p = 0.04). Satisfaction with the product was similar in both groups.

Discussion

E-cigarettes are a feasible tool for perioperative smoking cessation in veterans with quit rates comparable to nicotine replacement patch. Spirometry appears to be improved 8-weeks after initiating e-cigarettes compared to nicotine patch, possibly due to worse baseline spirometry and more smoking reduction in the e-cigarette group. An adequately powered study is recommended to determine if these results can be duplicated.

[Relationship between cigarette smoking and the carbon monoxide concentration in the exhaled breath with perioperative respiratory complications]

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the current study was to determine the effects of preoperative cigarette smoking and the carbon monoxide level in the exhaled breath on perioperative respiratory complications in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty two patients (smokers, Group S and non-smokers, Group NS), who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomies under general anesthesia, were studied. Patients completed the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence. The preoperative carbon monoxide level in the exhaled breath levels were determined using the piCO+Smokerlyzer 12h before surgery. Respiratory complications were recorded during induction of anesthesia, intraoperatively, during extubation, and in the recovery room.

RESULTS

Statistically significant increases were noted in group S with respect to the incidence of hypoxia during induction of anesthesia, intraoperative bronchospasm, bronchodilator treatment intraoperatively, and bronchospasm during extubation. The carbon monoxide level in the exhaled breath and the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, and number of cigarettes smoked 12h preoperatively were designated as covariates in the regression model. Logistic regression analysis of anesthetic induction showed that a 1 unit increase in the carbon monoxide level in the exhaled breath level was associated with a 1.16 fold increase in the risk of hypoxia (OR=1.16; 95% CI 1.01-1.34; p=0.038). Logistic regression analysis of the intraoperative course showed that a 1 unit increase in the number of cigarettes smoked 12h preoperatively was associated with a 1.16 fold increase in the risk of bronchospasm (OR=1.16; 95% CI 1.04-1.30; p=0.007). While in the recovery room, a 1 unit increase in the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence score resulted in a 1.73 fold increase in the risk of bronchospasm (OR=1.73; 95% CI 1.04-2.88; p=0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

Cigarette smoking was shown to increase the incidence of intraoperative respiratory complications while under general anesthesia. Moreover, the estimated preoperative carbon monoxide level in the exhaled breath level may serve as an indicator of the potential risk of perioperative respiratory complications.

Causal inference with measurement error in outcomes: Bias analysis and estimation methods

Inverse probability weighting estimation has been popularly used to consistently estimate the average treatment effect. Its validity, however, is challenged by the presence of error-prone variables. In this paper, we explore the inverse probability weighting estimation with mismeasured outcome variables. We study the impact of measurement error for both continuous and discrete outcome variables and reveal interesting consequences of the naive analysis which ignores measurement error. When a continuous outcome variable is mismeasured under an additive measurement error model, the naive analysis may still yield a consistent estimator; when the outcome is binary, we derive the asymptotic bias in a closed-form. Furthermore, we develop consistent estimation procedures for practical scenarios where either validation data or replicates are available. With validation data, we propose an efficient method for estimation of average treatment effect; the efficiency gain is substantial relative to usual methods of using validation data. To provide protection against model misspecification, we further propose a doubly robust estimator which is consistent even when either the treatment model or the outcome model is misspecified. Simulation studies are reported to assess the performance of the proposed methods. An application to a smoking cessation dataset is presented.

Ventral Hernia Management: Expert Consensus Guided by Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To achieve consensus on the best practices in the management of ventral hernias (VH).

BACKGROUND

Management patterns for VH are heterogeneous, often with little supporting evidence or correlation with existing evidence.

METHODS

A systematic review identified the highest level of evidence available for each topic. A panel of expert hernia-surgeons was assembled. Email questionnaires, evidence review, panel discussion, and iterative voting was performed. Consensus was when all experts agreed on a management strategy.

RESULTS

Experts agreed that complications with VH repair (VHR) increase in obese patients (grade A), current smokers (grade A), and patients with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) ≥ 6.5% (grade B). Elective VHR was not recommended for patients with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m (grade C), current smokers (grade A), or patients with HbA1C ≥ 8.0% (grade B). Patients with BMI= 30-50 kg/m or HbA1C = 6.5-8.0% require individualized interventions to reduce surgical risk (grade C, grade B). Nonoperative management was considered to have a low-risk of short-term morbidity (grade C). Mesh reinforcement was recommended for repair of hernias ≥ 2 cm (grade A). There were several areas where high-quality data were limited, and no consensus could be reached, including mesh type, component separation technique, and management of complex patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there was consensus, supported by grade A-C evidence, on patient selection, the safety of short-term nonoperative management, and mesh reinforcement, among experts; there was limited evidence and broad variability in practice patterns in all other areas of practice. The lack of strong evidence and expert consensus on these topics has identified gaps in knowledge where there is need of further evidence.

How Can Smoking Cessation Be Induced Before Surgery? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Behavior Change Techniques and Other Intervention Characteristics

Background: Smokers who continue to smoke up to the point of surgery are at increased risk of a range of complications during and following surgery.

Objective: To identify whether behavioral and/or pharmacological interventions increase the likelihood that smokers quit prior to elective surgery and which intervention components are associated with larger effects.

Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Data sources: MEDLINE, Embase, and Embase Classic, CINAHL, CENTRAL.

Study selection: Studies testing the effect of smoking reduction interventions delivered at least 24 h before elective surgery were included.

Study appraisal and synthesis: Potential studies were independently screened by two people. Data relating to study characteristics and risk of bias were extracted. The effects of the interventions on pre-operative smoking abstinence were estimated using random effects meta-analyses. The association between specific intervention components (behavior change techniques; mode; duration; number of sessions; interventionist) and smoking cessation effect sizes were estimated using meta-regressions.

Results: Twenty-two studies comprising 2,992 smokers were included and 19 studies were meta-analyzed. Interventions increased the proportion of smokers who were abstinent or reduced smoking by surgery relative to control: g = 0.56, 95% CI 0.32–0.80, with rates nearly double in the intervention (46.2%) relative to the control (24.5%). Interventions that comprised more sessions, delivered face-to-face and by nurses, as well as specific behavior change techniques (providing information on consequence of smoking/cessation; providing information on withdrawal symptoms; goal setting; review of goals; regular monitoring by others; and giving options for additional or later support) were associated with larger effects.

Conclusion: Rates of smoking can be halved prior to surgery and a number of intervention characteristics can increase these effects. There was, however, some indication of publication bias meaning the benefits of such interventions may be smaller than estimated.

Registration: Prospero 2015: CRD42015024733

A survey of Australian and New Zealand anaesthetists' attitudes towards resuscitation orders in the perioperative setting

Not for resuscitation (NFR) orders are often suspended during anaesthesia, as perioperative care is believed to inherently involve the need for resuscitation including ventilation support. Recent legislative changes in Australia, New Zealand and the UK have enacted the binding nature of advance care directives (ACDs) in healthcare. National guidelines regarding codes of practice and government strategic plans for implementing advance care planning have reinforced the role for advance care planning in modern healthcare. We surveyed a random selection of Australian and New Zealand consultant and trainee anaesthetists to assess their attitudes towards NFR orders and ACDs in the perioperative setting. We received 290 of 790 distributed surveys (37% response rate). The majority (75%) of respondents reported their knowledge as very low, low, or moderate; 37% never or rarely were treating a patient who had an ACD. Over 90% reported that patient's wishes and understanding of ACDs is important and 89% agreed or strongly agreed that advance care planning should be a routine part of hospital admission for high risk patients. Despite this, only 45% of the respondents would always follow an ACD. Although the majority of respondents to this survey support their use in the perioperative setting, clarification of the specific applicability of ACDs to anaesthesia and their binding nature is required.

A systematic review of possible serious adverse health effects of nicotine replacement therapy

We conducted a systematic literature review to identify and critically evaluate studies of serious adverse health effects (SAHEs) in humans using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products. Serious adverse health effects refer to adverse events, leading to substantial disruption of the ability to conduct normal life functions. Strength of evidence evaluations and conclusions were also determined for the identified SAHEs. We evaluated 34 epidemiological studies and clinical trials, relating NRT use to cancer, reproduction/development, CVD, stroke and/or other SAHEs in patients, and four meta-analyses on effects in healthy populations. The overall evidence suffers from many limitations, the most significant being the short-term exposure (≤12 weeks) and follow-up to NRT product use in most of the studies, the common failure to account for changes in smoking behaviour following NRT use, and the sparse information on SAHEs by type of NRT product used. The only SAHE from NRT exposure we identified was an increase in respiratory congenital abnormalities reported in one study. Limited evidence indicated a lack of effect between NRT exposure and SAHEs for CVD and various reproduction/developmental endpoints. For cancer, stroke and other SAHEs, the evidence was inadequate to demonstrate any association with NRT use. Our conclusions agree with recent statements from authoritative bodies.

Impact of Smoking Cessation Counseling Prior to Total Joint Arthroplasty

Perioperative smoking has been linked to surgical complications including poor wound healing, infection, myocardial infarction, prolonged length of stay, need for mechanical ventilation, and death. This study evaluated the effectiveness of preoperative counseling on smoking cessation for patients undergoing elective total joint arthroplasty. Thirty smokers with hip or knee osteoarthritis seeking hip or knee replacement surgery were enrolled prospectively. Interventions included counseling, referrals to smoking cessation programs including the California Smokers' Helpline and the Fontana Tobacco Treatment Program, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), or instructing patients quit through the "cold turkey" method of abstinence. Patients were scheduled for surgery if they demonstrated abstinence from smoking, confirmed via expired carbon monoxide (CO) breath testing. Short- and long-term smoking cessation rates were evaluated. Thirty patients were enrolled; 21 patients (70%) passed the CO test, whereas 9 patients (30%) failed or did not follow up with a CO test. Thirteen of 21 patients (62%) quit using the "cold turkey" method, 5 of 21 patients (24%) quit using NRT, and 3 of 21 patients (14%) quit using outpatient treatment programs. Eighteen of 21 patients (86%) who quit smoking underwent surgery, and 14 patients had surgery within 6 months of smoking abstinence. Nine of the 14 patients (64%) remained smoke-free 6 months postoperatively confirmed through telephone questionnaire. These results suggest that elective surgery offers a strong incentive for patients to quit smoking, and surgeons can play a role offering a teachable moment and motivating this potentially life-altering behavioral change. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(2):e323-e328.].

Smoking cessation advice in limb reconstruction: An opportunity not to be missed

The adverse health effects of smoking are well known, including its effects on the musculoskeletal system. Limb reconstruction using external fixators is a high intensity process with high levels of patient contact time, complications and cost. The aim of this study was to examine smoking patterns in this group and in particular to assess trends in smoking cession. Data was collected from 41 patients all undergoing treatment using circular frame external fixation, for a variety of pathologies, most commonly acute tibial trauma. A patient reported questionnaire was used. Data was collected over a six-month period. In our population 56.1% of patients were smokers. During the study 47.8% patients stopped smoking and a further 39.1% decreased their smoking behaviour. 78.3% of patients could recall being given smoking cessation advice. In our group, 87% of patients were unaware of the effects of smoking on bone healing. Once made aware during discussion of proposed treatment, 73.9% stated that it was, in part, this knowledge that prompted them to positively change their smoking habits. The results of this study show that advice regarding smoking cessation during limb reconstruction treatment can potentially have a positive impact on patients smoking habits. The effect of smoking should be linked to the patient pathology and discussed during the consent process. Taking the time with the patient for this simple free intervention can have a positive impact on patient health, and potentially on the outcome of their current treatment, and is an opportunity not to be missed.

Nursing interventions for smoking cessation in hospitalized patients: a systematic review

AIM

This study aimed to clarify the role of nurses in planning and implementation of nursing interventions related to smoking cessation.

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

Nearly half of all smokers die from smoking-related illnesses. Quitting smoking can reduce these problems. Smoking cessation interventions include various types helping smokers successfully quit. Studies suggest that hospitalization can be a golden opportunity for nurses helping patients to quit smoking because of No Smoking regulations.

METHOD

A systematic review of the literature was carried through Web of Knowledge, ProQuest, Medscape, MedlinePlus, Ovid SID, Magiran, PubMed, and Science Direct databases between 1990-2015 on the subject of interest by keywords: role of nursing in smoking cessation, nursing intervention in smoking cessation, smoking cessation, smoking quitting and interventions planned by nurse.

RESULT

Nineteen papers were systematic examined, dealing with smoking cessation interventions by nurses. Totally, 17 studies used counselling for quitting smoking. Most studies involved other methods such as manuals, pamphlets, brochures training or printed educational materials, audio and video file. Some studies used nicotine replacement methods for patients such as nicotine skin tags, chewing nicotine or bupropion. Moreover, 17 studies were conducted by telephone at patients' follow-up after hospital discharge.

CONCLUSION

Nurses' interventions for smoking cessation play an important role in helping patients quit smoking successfully. There are a variety of interventions that nurses can employ according to the patient's condition and diagnosis of different diseases.

IMPLICATION FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

Quitting smoking can reduce lung cancers and other health problems. Nurses play an important role in helping patients to quit smoking.

The Impact of Tobacco Smoking Upon Chronic/Recurrent Tonsillitis and Post Tonsillectomy Bleeding

Introduction Smoking has many adverse effects on the oral and pharyngeal mucosa. Outcomes may be developing tonsillar infections and predisposing for post tonsillectomy bleeding (PTB).

Objective The objective of our study was to determine whether smokers have more chronic/recurrent tonsillitis indicating for tonsillectomy or develop more PTB episodes.

Methods We conducted a retrospective study on two groups of adults (age ≥18 years). Cohort 1: Smoking among patients who underwent tonsillectomy for recurrent/chronic tonsillitis. Cohort 2: Smoking among patients requiring control of PTB that were operated primarily for recurrent/chronic tonsillitis. Cohort 1 served as a population-reference for the second. We retrieved the data from medical records.

Results Cohort 1: 206 adults aged 18–50 years (mean 26 ± 7.6). 28% (57 patients) were smokers, versus 24% and 20% in the general population (in the years 2000 and 2010; p = 0.5, p = 0.18, respectively). Cohort 2: 114 adults aged 18–73 years (mean 26 ± 7.6). 43% were smokers, double the incidence in the general population (p = 0.004, p = 0.0004, in 2000 and 2010, respectively), and 1.5 times cohort 1 (p = 0.02). Smoking rates among bleeders on post-operative days 8–10 and later than day 10 were 53% and 60% (p = 0.0005 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Five of ten patients presenting a second PTB were smokers. Timing of re-bleedings was similar to their first PTB and dated similarly as first PTB of the entire group, mean 5.6 days (SD ± 3.2).

Conclusion Smokers may encounter more chronic/recurrent tonsillitis episodes, indicating tonsillectomy and significantly are more prone for PTB. Smoking cessation may perhaps diminish recurrent/chronic tonsillitis. Whether pre-operative abstinence or its length would reduce PTB incidence is yet to be determined.

Operating on Patients Who Smoke: A Survey of Thoracic Surgeons in the United States

BACKGROUND

Although preoperative smoking is associated with increased postoperative complications in patients who undergo major thoracic surgical procedures, there are no national guidelines that address the patient's preoperative tobacco use. This study examined the typical preoperative management of thoracic surgical patients who are smokers.

METHODS

The link to an anonymous survey was emailed to cardiothoracic surgeons in the United States. The survey included questions regarding the likelihood of a surgeon to offer surgery and strategies used to assist patients in quitting smoking before surgery.

RESULTS

The majority of the 158 surgeons who responded to the survey were general thoracic surgeons (68%, 107 of 158), in an academic practice (57%, 90 of 158), with more than 15 years of experience (51%, 81 of 158). An overwhelming majority of respondents (98.1%, 155 of 158) considered smoking preoperatively a risk factor for postoperative complications. The most common cessation strategy offered to smokers was pharmacologic intervention (77%, 122 of 158). Nearly half of the surgeons (47%, 74 of 156) would not perform certain operations in a patient who was a current smoker, but only 14% (10 of 74) tested patients preoperatively for smoking. Thoracic surgeons (odds ratio 2.1, p = 0.0379) and surgeons in academic practice (odds ratio 1.9, p = 0.057) were more likely to deny certain surgeries to current smokers. Two thirds of the surgeons (66%, 48 of 74) thought that the ideal wait time from smoking cessation to surgery was 2 to 4 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

There is significant disagreement in the cardiothoracic surgical community regarding how to treat patients who smoke, especially when deciding to deny or postpone surgery. Prospective studies and guidelines are needed.

Combined pharmacotherapy and behavioural interventions for smoking cessation

BACKGROUND

Both behavioural support (including brief advice and counselling) and pharmacotherapies (including nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), varenicline and bupropion) are effective in helping people to stop smoking. Combining both treatment approaches is recommended where possible, but the size of the treatment effect with different combinations and in different settings and populations is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of combining behavioural support and medication to aid smoking cessation, compared to a minimal intervention or usual care, and to identify whether there are different effects depending on characteristics of the treatment setting, intervention, population treated, or take-up of treatment.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group Specialised Register in July 2015 for records with any mention of pharmacotherapy, including any type of NRT, bupropion, nortriptyline or varenicline.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials evaluating combinations of pharmacotherapy and behavioural support for smoking cessation, compared to a control receiving usual care or brief advice or less intensive behavioural support. We excluded trials recruiting only pregnant women, trials recruiting only adolescents, and trials with less than six months follow-up.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Search results were prescreened by one author and inclusion or exclusion of potentially relevant trials was agreed by two authors. Data was extracted by one author and checked by another.The main outcome measure was abstinence from smoking after at least six months of follow-up. We used the most rigorous definition of abstinence for each trial, and biochemically validated rates if available. We calculated the risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each study. Where appropriate, we performed meta-analysis using a Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect model.

MAIN RESULTS

Fifty-three studies with a total of more than 25,000 participants met the inclusion criteria. A large proportion of studies recruited people in healthcare settings or with specific health needs. Most studies provided NRT. Behavioural support was typically provided by specialists in cessation counselling, who offered between four and eight contact sessions. The planned maximum duration of contact was typically more than 30 minutes but less than 300 minutes. Overall, studies were at low or unclear risk of bias, and findings were not sensitive to the exclusion of any of the six studies rated at high risk of bias in one domain. One large study (the Lung Health Study) contributed heterogeneity due to a substantially larger treatment effect than seen in other studies (RR 3.88, 95% CI 3.35 to 4.50). Since this study used a particularly intensive intervention which included extended availability of nicotine gum, multiple group sessions and long term maintenance and recycling contacts, the results may not be comparable with the interventions used in other studies, and hence it was not pooled in other analyses. Based on the remaining 52 studies (19,488 participants) there was high quality evidence (using GRADE) for a benefit of combined pharmacotherapy and behavioural treatment compared to usual care, brief advice or less intensive behavioural support (RR 1.83, 95% CI 1.68 to 1.98) with moderate statistical heterogeneity (I² = 36%).The pooled estimate for 43 trials that recruited participants in healthcare settings (RR 1.97, 95% CI 1.79 to 2.18) was higher than for eight trials with community-based recruitment (RR 1.53, 95% CI 1.33 to 1.76). Compared to the first version of the review, previous weak evidence of differences in other subgroup analyses has disappeared. We did not detect differences between subgroups defined by motivation to quit, treatment provider, number or duration of support sessions, or take-up of treatment.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Interventions that combine pharmacotherapy and behavioural support increase smoking cessation success compared to a minimal intervention or usual care. Updating this review with an additional 12 studies (5,000 participants) did not materially change the effect estimate. Although trials differed in the details of their populations and interventions, we did not detect any factors that modified treatment effects apart from the recruitment setting. We did not find evidence from indirect comparisons that offering more intensive behavioural support was associated with larger treatment effects.