Detrimental effects of cigarette smoking on lower extremity wound healing.

The authors review the detrimental effects of cigarette smoke and its constituents to normal physiology. Nicotine and carbon monoxide, principle components of cigarette smoke appear to exert an influence on wound repair by inhibiting epithelization, damaging blood cellular components, and creating a cellular hypoxia. Recommendations for perioperative cessation of smoking by the patient are made.