Cigarette smoking: impairment of digital blood flow and wound healing in the hand

Hand. 1977 Jun;9(2):97-101. doi: 10.1016/s0072-968x(77)80001-6.

Abstract

Smoking a single cigarette can reduce digital blood flow. Sarin (1974) showed a 42% reduction in digital blood flow in his series, and other investigators have shown similar findings (Ludbrook 1974, Rottenstein 1960). The focus of this paper is on the pharmacological effects of the various components of cigarette smoke and their potentials effects on wound healing in the hand. A case is described to illustrate the effect of stopping smoking upon a non-healing fingertip ulcer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Fingers / blood supply*
  • Hand*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nicotine / adverse effects
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Smoking*
  • Wound Healing*

Substances

  • Nicotine