Abstract
Purpose: To alert the Orthopaedic fraternity that smoking needs to be considered in the Paediatric population and highlight it’s adverse effect on bone healing index.
Method: During assessment of Paediatric patients who had undergone limb reconstruction surgery, a sub-population was found to have a prolonged time to consolidation of the regenerate to norm. Screening for contributing factors, we were surprised to learn that this subgroup were active smokers. Revisiting their radiographs, it was felt that the quality of the regenerate appeared to differ from non-smokers.
Results: We identified 12 patients who were active smokers. 2 also had parents who smoked. They all exhibited a prolonged time to regenerate consolidation. We calculated their bone healing indices to compare with non smokers and found significant differences.
Conclusion: Smoking has adverse effects on bone healing in children as well as adults. We have drawn up an advise sheet to make patients and their parents aware of the adverse effects of active and passive smoking on bone healing.
Correspondence should be addressed to Ms Larissa Welti, Scientific Secretary, EFORT Central Office, Technoparkstrasse 1, CH-8005 Zürich, Switzerland
