Prevention of Nicotine Abstinence in Critically Ill Patients After Major Surgery

Prevention of Nicotine Abstinence in Critically Ill Patients After Major Surgery

The primary objective of this study is to determine whether the application of transdermal nicotine patches in critically ill patients after major surgery with nicotine abstinence condition is associated with a lower incidence of delirium.

Patients in a group with medical intervention receive nicotine patch within 24 hours after surgery. The nicotine patch is replaced every day. Delirium is evaluated every day by the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) - ICU test. The maximum length of intervention is 7 days.

Patients in a group with placebo receive a placebo patch within 24 hours after surgery. This patch is replaced every day. Delirium is evaluated in the same way - CAM - ICU test. The maximum length of the placebo intervention is 7 days.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing a surgical procedure - urological, surgical, trauma surgery, orthopedic surgery, dental surgery)
• Age 18 years and above
• Patient with an assumption of nicotine abstinence (smoking a minimum 10 cigarettes/day).
• Ex-smokers (if they stopped smoking less than 30 days prior to surgery)
• An assumption of hospitalization at the intensive care unit (ICU) after surgery
• Signed Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age ˂ 18 years
• Non-signing of the informed consent
• Patients after neurosurgical surgery, patients with traumatic brain injury, patients after a new stroke
• Patients with psychiatric diseases
• Nicotine, Curapor or Hydrocoll allergy
• Patient with a heart attack, unstable angina pectoris or patients with a serious heart arrhythmia
• Pregnant and breastfeeding patients
• Patients with nicotine treatment