Smoking cessation
Smoking increases the risk of pulmonary complications after surgery
Three main interventions exist in addition to counselling and support:
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): can be purchased in many forms including gum and transdermal patch; all forms increases rate of quitting by 50-70%.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD000146.
Antidepressants: bupropion and nortriptyline are as effective as NRT; other antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are not effective.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Jan 24;(1):CD000031.
Nicotine receptor partial agonist: varenicline is more effective than bupropion and NRT.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Apr 18;4:CD006103