Helping smokers quit before surgery

Preoperative Smoking Cessation Program in Patients Undergoing Intermediate to High-risk Surgery: a Randomized, Single-blinded, Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional Luzerner Kantonsspital · NCT05192837

This study is testing a strong program to help smokers quit before surgery to see if it can reduce problems after the operation.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment251 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorLuzerner Kantonsspital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Luzern)
Trial IDNCT05192837 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study focuses on implementing a high-intensity smoking cessation program for patients scheduled for intermediate to high-risk surgeries. It aims to analyze the impact of this preoperative intervention on reducing postoperative complications within a 90-day period. The program targets current smokers who are motivated to quit, leveraging their surgical situation as a unique opportunity for cessation. The study will be conducted at the Kantonsspital of Lucerne, involving various surgical departments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are current smokers over 18 years old who are scheduled for intermediate or high-risk surgeries at the Kantonsspital of Lucerne.

Not a fit: Patients undergoing plastic surgery or those with alcohol dependency or severe psychological disorders may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce postoperative complications and healthcare costs for smokers undergoing surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that preoperative smoking cessation interventions can lead to improved surgical outcomes, indicating a promising approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient listed for intermediate or high-risk surgery at the Kantonsspital of Lucerne
* Patient undergoing surgery in one of the following departments: Abdominal surgery, thoracic surgery, cardiac surgery, urology, gynaecology, vascular surgery or head and neck surgery
* Date of surgery \>2 weeks after date of listing for surgery or discussion by tumor board
* Current smokers, defined as daily smoking of at least one cigarette, cigar or pipe
* Age over 18 years
* Able to give signed written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Plastic surgery
* Consumption of illegal drugs
* Alcohol dependency defined as preexisting alcohol related disorders (eg. alcoholic psychosis, Alcohol abuse, Alcohol polyneuropathy, degeneration of nervous system due to alcohol, Alcoholic myopathy, Alcoholic liver disease)
* Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g., due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia

Where this trial is running

Luzern

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Smoking CessationSmoking ReductionSurgery--ComplicationsSurgeryCancerPostoperative ComplicationsPerioperative ComplicationSmoking
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.