There are so many reasons to smoke it is nearly enumerable. Now we can add on more reason that I was not aware of. Since smoking causes vasoconstriction of the small blood vessels in the hands and feet( – which leads to problems by itself), when injured, the digits heal with more difficulty and slowly. This is nothing new to me but I did not know that if you amputate a finger – like the poor bastard the other day who cut off his left thumb with a power-saw, as a smoker, you are not a candidate for re-implantation (reattachment) micro-vascular surgery. As per a plastic surgeon who I respect, the vaso-constriction by the smoking basically takes your chances for successful re-implantation (which this guy was going to have attempted until his heavy smoking history was discovered) from slim to nearly nil. So close to nil in fact that it is not worth the attempt and you basically get the stump rongeured down and sutured over. Sorry bud, no more thumb.
That’s very interesting as my ex-husband amputated his finger with a power saw, had it reattached without any problems and he smoked. So are you saying that if you smoke, they will never attempt reattachment? What about diabetics with neuropathy or people who don’t smoke with severe CAD or the host of other conditions that might lead to poor circulation in extremeties? Or they also on the do not reattach list? Just curious.
That must make it harder to work the lighter.
We have an amazing hand team at our hospital and “Do you smoke?” is one of the first questions they ask any patient. Throw those sticks out! And have a good day.
midwest woman, I bet it depends on how much and how long you have smoked for. Also, if it is your arm I am sure they would try. However the distal tip of the nondominant thumb in a heavy smoker is a lost cause.
Not to mention Buerger’s disease. No power tools required.
“There are so many reasons to smoke it is nearly enumerable.”
I always say that their is no good reason to smoke or so many reasons not to smoke.
They discussed this issue in an episode of Scrubs