Reducing Surgical Morbidity After Lung Resection: Effects of Smoking Cessation

Cigarette smoking remains one of the most significant risk factors for the development of lung cancer. Twenty-five percent to 50% of lung cancer patients currently smoke at the time of diagnosis of their lung cancer and many will continue smoking up to the time of surgical intervention. Given the known risk of complications associated with surgical intervention and active smoking, particularly with lung resection, this review examines whether delaying surgery for tobacco cessation is helpful in reducing postoperative complications. The timing of smoking cessation as it relates to these complications was evaluated. Current literature at this time does not strongly support mandating smoking cessation prior to undergoing pulmonary resection.