Long-term effects of a preoperative smoking cessation programme

Introduction: Preoperative smoking intervention programmes reduce postoperative complications in smokers. Little is known about the long-term effect upon smoking cessation. Aim: To discover long-term quit rates and the reasons behind successful cessation. Materials and Methods: 101 one of 120 smokers, randomised to smoking intervention or no intervention before hip and knee surgery, completed questionnaires concerning smoking after 1 year. We selected representative men and women for focus group interviews. Results: Significantly more patients from the intervention group abstained from smoking for 1 year post-operatively [13 in 60 patients (22%) vs; 2 in 60 (3%), P < 0.01]. Sex (mate), low nicotine dependency, non-smoking spouse and preoperative smoking intervention were related to smoking cessation. All patients gave the same reasons for smoking cessation: improved health and saving money. Follow-up for 5 years showed 17% of the controls and 8% in the intervention group (P = 0.42) had died. Conclusion: The intervention group had a significantly higher quit rate 1 year after a preoperative smoking cessation programme.