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Tobacco use predicts poorer clinical outcomes and higher post-operative complication rates after open elbow arthrolysis

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Tobacco use is a worldwide public health problem, and has been found to be a predisposing factor for adverse functional outcomes and increased postoperative complication rates after various orthopedic operations. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential impact of tobacco use on open arthrolysis for post-traumatic elbow stiffness.

Materials and methods

A database search identified 145 patients with open arthrolysis performed for post-traumatic elbow stiffness; these were divided into three groups: current tobacco users (37), former users (28), and nonusers (80). All surgeries were performed using the same technique by the same doctor. General patient data, functional performance, and complications were documented and analyzed.

Results

Demographic data and disease characteristics were comparable at baseline. Postoperatively, significant differences were found among the three groups in terms of range of motion (P < 0.001), Mayo Elbow Performance Score (P = 0.006), visual analog scale score for pain (P = 0.015), Dellon classification for ulnar nerve symptoms (P = 0.013), and total complication rates (P < 0.001). The current tobacco users group had the poorest clinical outcomes and highest complication rates, while no significant differences were found between former users and nonusers.

Conclusions

Current tobacco users reported increased risk of poorer clinical outcomes and higher postoperative complication rates after open arthrolysis. Former users were found to have outcomes similar to those of nonusers. This study underlines the importance of discontinuing tobacco use for patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness who are considering open arthrolysis.

Level of evidence

Level III; Retrospective Cohort Design; Therapeutic Study.

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Funding

This study was supported by Project of Key Discipline Group of Shanghai Pudong New Area Health and Family Planning Commission (PWZxq2017-03), Three-year Action Plan of Clinical Skills and Innovation of Shanghai Hospital Development Center (16CR3029A), and Project of Medical Guidance of Foundation of Shanghai Committee of Science and Technology (17411966900).

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Author notes

  1. Ziyang Sun and Wei Wang contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Xuhui, Shanghai, 200233, People’s Republic of China

    Ziyang Sun, Wei Wang & Cunyi Fan

  2. Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital East Affiliated to Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, 222 Third Huanhu Road West, Pudong, Shanghai, 201306, People’s Republic of China

    Wei Wang & Cunyi Fan

Authors
  1. Ziyang Sun
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  2. Wei Wang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cunyi Fan.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Ethical approval

The Ethics Committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital concluded that no approval was necessary for this study based on its retrospective design. Data were analyzed anonymously; all patients approved the publication of the results of this study by oral consent. The oral consent approval was documented in the patients’ files. This was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital. All clinical investigations were conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Additional information

The authors, their immediate families, and any research foundation with which they are affiliated have not received any financial payments or other benefits from any commercial entity related to the subject of this article.

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Sun, Z., Wang, W. & Fan, C. Tobacco use predicts poorer clinical outcomes and higher post-operative complication rates after open elbow arthrolysis. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 139, 883–891 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-018-03109-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-018-03109-z

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