A study of e-cigarette vaping could delay wound healing

Boston : A study warned that the formation of electronic cigarette vapors could have a negative impact on the healing of skin wounds, causing damage similar to that of traditional smoking.

Researchers at the Boston Medical Center (BMC) in the United States In experimental models, vaporization of electronic cigarettes and traditional cigarettes in experimental models resulted in increased tissue mortality, delaying wound healing.

These results, published in the JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, provide important information to providers on how to counsel their patients considering surgery on the negative impacts of traditional and electronic cigarettes on the progress and safety of wound healing. their wound.

The researchers stated that the harmful effects of traditional smoking on wound healing were well established in the surgical field.

Surgeons recommend that patients quit smoking for several months before surgery, whenever possible,

. Traditional smoking options, such as the "e-cigarette" vapotage, are gaining popularity, and no significant research has yet been conducted to find out if it is a safer alternative to traditional smoking, particularly during the perioperative period.

Researchers exposed experimental models of traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes or no cigarettes.

They verified serum levels of cotinine, a biomarker of tobacco smoke exposure, both in the positive and experimental control groups, to ensure comparable nicotine exposure in both groups .

The researchers then created skin flaps, which were grafted onto each of the models. From its inception, he daily monitored the viability and healing of grafts.

After two weeks, researchers found a statistically increased rate of tissue mortality on grafted flaps in groups exposed to the electronic cigarette or electronic cigarette. traditional cigarettes.

"Based on our findings, e-cigarettes are not a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes for the rapid healing of wounds," said Jeffrey Spiegel, head of BMC's facial plastic surgery department. .

"Suppliers, and patients, need to understand the risks of both types of smoking so they can make the best decision to keep the patient as safe as possible before and after the surgery," Spiegel said.

End of