[Nicotine in plastic surgery : a review]

Abstract

Background: The surgical complication rate is significantly increased in active smoking patients. However there are no evidence-based recommendations regarding smoking among patients seeking plastic surgical procedures.

Methods: MEDLINE analysis was performed of all relevant clinical and experimental papers from 1965 to 2008.

Results: In face-lift operations smokers present a 13-fold risk of skin necrosis. In mamma reduction procedures the risk among smokers is doubled for number of complications, with T-incision site necrosis (odds ratio 3.1) and infection rate (OR 3.3) significantly elevated among active smokers. Transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps for breast reconstruction are associated with significantly higher flap necrosis rates for smokers than nonsmokers (19% vs 9%, P=0.005). The smoking history can be indicative, but usually the number of cigarettes is drastically underestimated. Cotinine testing is a method of determining smoking quantitatively up to 4 days before testing.

Conclusion: Four weeks of abstinence from smoking reduces smoking-associated complications. Despite the published evidence, smoking is no longer relevant in the German 2008 Disease-Related Group for plastic surgical procedures.