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UK man refused ankle surgery by NHS because he smokes

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout: Debate & Discussion' started by weslinder, Sep 14, 2007.

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  1. HayesStreet

    HayesStreet Member

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    Pffft....even assuming some of your mass generalizations are true in some instances, there is a major difference between having a bypass and ankle surgery. It isn't standard for surgeons to require a patient to quit smoking, nor is it standard to demand it for a couple of weeks, but rather the norm is to stop by midnight the night before. As to your other assertions, these aren't based on studies examining ankle surgery.

    There is also plenty of evidence to show that smoking has positive effects on surgery patients. For instance, smoking results in a mass reduction in PONV (postoperative nausea and vomiting) and pain reduction.
     
  2. brozef

    brozef Member

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    From the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

    For years, orthopaedic surgeons have known about the relationships that putatively exist between smoking and an array of orthopaedic conditions and complications. It has been shown to adversely affect bone mineral density, lumbar disk disease, the rate of hip fractures, and the dynamics of bone and wound healing. Although scientific and clinical information on smoking and its consequences suggests differing degrees of correlation between smoking and orthopaedic conditions, most available data do suggest a real and reproducible relationship. In the past, there have been many individual reports that deal with these relationships separately but very few published comprehensive reviews. This summary of the current literature regarding the relationship between smoking and musculoskeletal diseases and their treatment provides information that can be used clinically by both the practitioner and the patient.

    http://www.jaaos.org/cgi/content/abstract/9/1/9

    When I have time and/or if i'm interested in this topic at all, I'll do a more complete search. But, yes, I do remember something in class. Smoking effects bone density; it stimulates the cells that break down bone and reduces bone mass. I'm not surprised at all that this guy was told to quit smoking before ankle surgery. If the wound was fresh, then it could have been easier to fix. But, because it's an old wound, they would have to re-break some areas in order to get the best out of the surgery. This opens the door for many complications, and slower bone-healing doesn't help that. The guy's ankle does not heal and now his surgeon has a complicated patient on his hands. Quit for a while if you want to walk right. Clearly, his cigarettes are more important.
     
  3. rezdawg

    rezdawg Member

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    LOL, it has nothing to do with where the surgery takes place...it has to do with wound healing and going under anesthesia. If the surgery requires the patient to go under, then yes, smoking needs to be stopped. Doesnt matter if its an ankle, heart, or pinkie finger.
     

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