Smoking cessation prior to elective total joint arthroplasty results in sustained abstinence postoperatively.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is a well-documented modifiable risk factor for perioperative complications. AIM: To determine the tobacco abstinence rates of patients who made cessation efforts prior to a total joint arthroplasty (TJA) procedure. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was performed on 88 self-reported tobacco users who underwent TJA between 2014-2022 and had tobacco cessation dates within 3 mo of surgery. Eligible patients were contacted via phone survey to understand their tobacco use pattern, and patient reported outcomes. A total of 37 TJA patients participated. RESULTS: Our cohort was on average 61-years-old, 60% (n = 22) women, with an average body mass index of 30 kg/m2. The average follow-up time was 2.9 ± 1.9 years. A total of 73.0% (n = 27) of patients endorsed complete abstinence from tobacco use prior to surgery. Various cessation methods were used perioperatively including prescription therapy (13.5%), over the counter nicotine replacement (18.9%), cessation programs (5.4%). At final follow up, 43.2% (n = 16) of prior tobacco smokers reported complete abstinence. Patients who were able to maintain cessation postoperatively had improved Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-10 mental health scores (49 vs 58; P = 0.01), and hip dysfunction and osteoarthritis outcome score for joint replacement (HOOS. JR) scores (63 vs 82; P = 0.02). No patients in this cohort had a prosthetic joint infection or required revision surgery. CONCLUSION: We report a tobacco cessation rate of 43.2% in patients undergoing elective TJA nearly 3 years postoperatively. Patients undergoing TJA who were able to remain abstinent had improved PROMIS-10 mental health scores and HOOS. JR scores. The perioperative period provides clinicians a unique opportunity to assist active tobacco smokers with cessation efforts and improve postoperative outcomes.

Duke Scholars

Author Sean Ryan Orthopaedic Surgery

Author Thorsten Markus Seyler Orthopaedic Surgery

Author Michael Paul Bolognesi Orthopaedic Surgery