[Effect of cigarette smoking on skin perfusion of the hand]

Chirurg. 2006 Nov;77(11):1022-6. doi: 10.1007/s00104-006-1216-1.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Background: Cigarette consumption leads to postoperative wound healing disturbances by impairing skin circulation.

Materials and methods: Fourteen nonsmokers and 44 smokers were investigated and classified according to age (<40 and >40 years) and duration of cigarette consumption. Circulation at the tip of the middle finger was measured in both groups under standard conditions with laser Doppler imaging.

Results: There was a reduction in skin blood circulation of 24% in smokers (young 39%, older 11%, P=0.001) and 30% in nonsmokers (young 35%, older 18%, P=0.019). With longer duration of cigarette consumption, the effect grew weaker (<10 years 25%, 11-30 years 18%, >30 years 15%). There was no correlation between the number of cigarettes consumed per day and impaired circulation.

Conclusion: Younger subjects react to cigarette consumption with a stronger reduction in circulation. In elective surgery, especially in young smokers we recommend a 6- to 8-week nicotine abstinence prior to surgical intervention.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Blood Flow Velocity / physiology
  • Female
  • Fingers / blood supply*
  • Hand / blood supply*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Ischemia / diagnosis
  • Ischemia / physiopathology
  • Laser-Doppler Flowmetry*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reference Values
  • Risk Factors
  • Skin / blood supply*
  • Smoking / adverse effects*
  • Smoking / physiopathology
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Wound Healing / physiology