Smokeless tobacco use is associated with a lower risk of perioperative complications and revision surgery after anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty compared to cigarette smokers

Background

No prior study has separated the effects of smokeless tobacco from traditional cigarettes in patients undergoing anatomic total shoulder (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of smokeless tobacco on postoperative outcomes after aTSA and rTSA.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study utilizing a large insurance database was conducted. Patients undergoing primary TSA with a minimum two-year follow-up were included. Smokeless tobacco only users, cigarette only users, and nontobacco users were propensity score matched based on demographic variables and comorbidities. Postoperative medical complications and surgery-specific complications were compared among groups. Patient groups were further stratified by surgical technique: aTSA or rTSA. Multivariable logistic regressions were employed to account for confounding variables.

Results

Smokeless tobacco use was not associated with increased risk of complications after TSA compared to nonusers. Cigarette use was associated with an increased risk of pneumonia (OR: 1.20), wound dehiscence (OR: 1.39), emergency department (ED) visits (OR: 1.40), and readmissions (OR: 1.12) within 90 days as well as infection (OR: 1.21), aseptic loosening (OR: 1.28), dislocation (OR: 1.27), fracture (OR: 1.30), and revision surgery (OR: 1.19) within 2 years compared to nonusers. After separating by surgical technique, smokeless tobacco use, after aTSA was associated with fewer 90-day ED visits (OR: 0.52), while cigarette only use was associated with increased risk of rotator cuff tear (OR: 1.17) and fracture (OR: 1.88) within two years compared to nonusers. Compared to cigarette smokers, smokeless tobacco users had significantly decreased risk of ED visits (OR: 0.40) within 90 days and implant removal (OR: 0.13) within two years of surgery. For rTSA, smokeless tobacco use was not associated with increased risk of complications compared to nonuser controls; however, cigarette use was associated with an increased risk of ED utilization (OR: 1.33) within 90 days as well as aseptic loosening (OR: 1.32) and irrigation and debridement (OR: 1.37) within two years. Smokeless tobacco use, when compared to cigarette users, was associated with significantly fewer shoulder dislocations (OR: 0.27) within two years.

Conclusion

Smokeless tobacco use was associated with a lower risk of complications compared to cigarette users and no difference compared to nonusers after aTSA and rTSA. These findings suggest that while all tobacco use, including smokeless tobacco and cigarettes, is best avoided prior to surgery, the risks associated with smokeless tobacco use may be less severe than those linked to cigarette smoking after aTSA and rTSA.