Surgical patient education related to smoking.

Estimates indicate that one million patients who smoke present annually in the United States for some form of surgical intervention. Smoking is a known cause of respiratory complications, hemodynamic fluctuations, and delayed wound healing. A literature search revealed a small number of available studies that address the education provided to surgical patients who smoke. Information about the effects of smoking on surgical outcomes is not routinely provided to smokers. Determining the best methods by which to provide smoking cessation counseling will help increase patients' chances for a positive surgical outcome.