Prospective study on smoking and postoperative complications in breast reconstruction surgery

The impact of smoking on postoperative complications in 125 women undergoing breast reconstruction surgery is of interest. Hence, patients were stratified into current smokers, former smokers and non-smokers and followed for 30 days postoperatively. Current smokers had significantly higher rates of wound dehiscence, infection and flap necrosis compared to non-smokers. Former smokers showed intermediate complication rates. Thus, we show the critical need for smoking cessation strategies prior to reconstructive breast surgery.