Arthritis care & research
-
Arthritis care & research · Oct 2011
Multicenter Study Comparative StudySmoking as a risk factor for short-term outcomes following primary total hip and total knee replacement in veterans.
To assess the effect of smoking on postoperative complications following elective primary total hip replacement (THR) or primary total knee replacement (TKR). ⋯ Current smoking at the time of elective THR or TKR is associated with increased postarthroplasty complications, especially surgical site infections and pneumonia. Preoperative smoking cessation programs should be considered in patients undergoing elective THR or TKR.