Comparison of Outcomes Between Nonsmokers and Patients Who Discontinued Smoking 1 Month Before Primary Hip Arthroscopy: A Propensity-Matched Study With Minimum 2-Year Follow-up
Authors: Lee MS, Jimenez AE, Owens JS, Curley AJ, Paraschos OA, Maldonado DR, Lall AC, Domb BG
Journal: Orthop J Sports Med, June 2022
DOI: 10.1177/23259671221097372
Background
Smoking is a known risk factor for poorer outcomes after hip arthroscopy. This study evaluates whether quitting smoking at least one month prior to surgery results in outcomes comparable to those of nonsmokers.
Methods
- Patients undergoing primary hip arthroscopy for FAIS between 2008 and 2017 were reviewed.
- Former smokers who quit at least one month before surgery were propensity matched to nonsmokers.
- Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and rates of achieving minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were analyzed with a minimum two-year follow-up.
Key Findings
- Former smokers achieved significant postoperative improvements.
- PRO improvements and MCID achievement rates in former smokers were comparable to those of nonsmokers.
Conclusions
Smoking cessation at least one month before hip arthroscopy can mitigate the negative impact of smoking, yielding postoperative outcomes similar to never-smokers.
What Does This Mean for Providers
- Strongly encourage patients who smoke to quit at least one month before hip arthroscopy to optimize outcomes.
- Integrate smoking cessation counseling into preoperative planning and risk reduction protocols.
- Use this evidence to reinforce the importance of smoking cessation in patient education and shared decision-making.
- Recognize that former smokers who quit preoperatively can expect functional recovery similar to nonsmokers.