Smoking After Septoplasty Operation

Smoking Post-Septoplasty: Risks & Impacts on Healing

Image source: Smoking Will Kill You

Since I have many questions about smoking, I wanted to write this article. Patients receiving normal general anesthesia should stop smoking at least 2 days prior to anesthesia. After septoplasty surgery different sources suggested that you can use cigarettes after the 2-3 weeks. However, the expectation of completion of intranasal mucosal healing is the most accurate. So if you feel damp without using medication and your nose is not crusty, you can use it starting with small amount.

Smoking After Septoplasty Surgery and Harmful Effects!

The three harmful effects of smoking cigarettes after a deviation surgery can be listed as follows:

➤ Negative effects on wound healing occur because of the effect of nicotine in cigarette smoke over veins and slowing blood flow. Again, the function of the secretory glands in the nose is also reduced, and indirectly, the intranasal dryness and crusting may play an increasing role.

➤ Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke does not adversely affect tissue feeding with direct toxic effect. Tissue within the nose may cause decreased tissue supply and increased risk of infection.

➤ Chemical burn products that have not yet been fully identified in cigarette smoke can cause surgical wound spreading wound infection, infection in nasal cartilage, and increased intranasal scaling. During the surgery, cartilages are removed and curved cartilage is removed. Since the mucous membranes are already bleeding and the activity of the mucus-producing glands is already decreasing, the possibility of intranasal infection has already increased. Contact with the incision area and mucosa of burned product particles in cigarette smoke easily increases the risk of infection.

The answers "I smoke without drinking, I pull with my lips" and "I clean my nose with ocean waters after smoking" are not very logical and preventive.

Please don't smoke after septoplasty operation!

Here's a nice video that summarizes how carcinogenic effects of cigarettes can lead to heart disease and lung diseases:

 

Smoking and Septoplasty: A Risky Combination

Smoking is a well-known risk factor in surgery and wound healing due to the harmful effects of nicotine and other toxins present in tobacco smoke. When it comes to septoplasty, smoking poses significant risks and can lead to various complications during the recovery process. Here are some of the harmful effects and risks associated with smoking after septoplasty surgery:

Impaired Healing: Nicotine in tobacco smoke can constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the surgical site. This impairs the body's ability to deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to the healing tissues. As a result, the healing process can be delayed, and the risk of complications increases.

Infection Risk: Smoking weakens the immune system, making the patient more susceptible to infections. In septoplasty, the nasal passages are vulnerable to infection, and smoking can increase the risk of postoperative infections, which can be challenging to treat.

Increased Pain: Smoking can intensify postoperative pain, making the recovery period more uncomfortable for the patient. The act of inhaling smoke can irritate the nasal passages and incision site, exacerbating pain and discomfort.

Complications and Septal Perforation: Smoking can increase the risk of complications such as septal perforation which may require additional medical intervention. In severe cases, septal perforation (a hole in the septum) can develop, requiring further surgical correction. Although this complication is rare, it may occur due to its negative effects on the circulation in the nasal septum and increasing the risk of local infection.

Reduced Blood Oxygen Levels: Smoking decreases blood oxygen levels. Since proper oxygen supply is essential for healing, reduced oxygen levels can slow down the recovery process and lead to complications.

Guidelines for a Safe Recovery

Given the risks and harmful effects of smoking after septoplasty surgery, it is strongly recommended that patients refrain from smoking for an extended period before and after the procedure. Here are some guidelines for a safe and successful recovery:

Preoperative Smoking Cessation: Ideally, patients should quit smoking several weeks before the scheduled septoplasty procedure. This allows the body to clear nicotine and toxins from the system, which can significantly reduce the risks during and after surgery.

Smoking Abstinence After Surgery: After septoplasty, it is crucial to continue abstaining from smoking for an extended period. The duration may vary depending on the patient and surgeon's recommendations, but it is typically advisable to refrain from smoking for at least two to four weeks following the surgery.

Support and Nicotine Replacement Therapy: Patients who struggle to quit smoking can seek support from healthcare providers or smoking cessation programs. Nicotine replacement therapies, such as nicotine gum or patches, may be considered to help manage cravings while avoiding the harmful effects of smoking.

Create a Smoke-Free Environment: Ensure that the home environment is smoke-free to minimize exposure to secondhand smoke, which can also impede healing.

Open Communication with the Surgeon: Be open and honest with your surgeon about your smoking habits. They can provide guidance and support throughout the preoperative and postoperative periods.

Adhere to Postoperative Care Instructions: Follow all postoperative care instructions diligently to support healing and minimize the risk of complications.

Monitor Healing Progress: Attend scheduled follow-up appointments with your surgeon to monitor healing and address any concerns or complications promptly.

Smoking and septoplasty surgery do not mix. Smoking poses significant risks and harmful effects on the recovery process, impairing healing, increasing the risk of complications, and intensifying postoperative pain. To ensure a safe and successful recovery after septoplasty, it is crucial for patients to refrain from smoking for an extended period before and after the surgery. Open communication with the surgeon and adherence to postoperative care instructions are essential for promoting healing and achieving the full benefits of improved nasal airflow and symptom relief. By taking these precautions, patients can enhance their chances of a smooth and successful recovery after septoplasty.

On this website, the link group where you can read the previously published articles I have prepared about the septoplasty operation >> https://www.ent-istanbul.com/search?q=septoplasty+operation

Murat Enoz, MD, Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgeon - ENT Doctor in Istanbul

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