Smokers and anaesthetic?

fiona-f

I recently had to undergo surgery and in the pre-theatre checks, the doctor asked if I smoked. When I replied that I didn't, she said there was a greater risk of nausea after general anaesthetic for non-smokers. Now, there was a lot going through my mind at the time so maybe I misunderstood but that conversation just popped into my mind recently and I was wondering if anyone could tell me whether I have it right, that in certain circumstances, smoking can have a more positive effect than not smoking, and if so why? Thanks.

etymon

The only example I know is that, for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, smokers with Crohn's do worse and those with ulcerative colitis do better (in terms of flare-ups etc.)

lonestargirl

Smokers have lung radiation therapy are at lower risk of pulmonary toxicity. This is thought to their being increased hypoxia in the normal lung of smokers.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167814008005094
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360301601016856

Before anyone takes up smoking these patients also have poorer tumour control outcomes.

http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/21/8/1544.short

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169500203005981